September 17, 2012

New solar power program for Toronto

TORONTO

A new program will see Toronto-owned buildings outfitted with more than 8,800 solar photovoltaic (PV) panels.

“This is a great opportunity to make use of underutilized City roof space and generate revenue for the City,” said Councillor Norm Kelly (Ward 40 Scarborough-Agincourt), Chair of the Parks and Environment Committee.

The energy from the panels will be fed into Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited’s electrical grid, generating over $16 million in gross revenues for the City over 20 years, and will also help to increase the security of Toronto’s electricity supply. The electricity will be purchased under the terms of Feed-in-Tariff contracts with the Ontario Power Authority, a program to encourage project developers to invest in generation, transmission and distribution, so that even more renewable energy sources can be incorporated into Ontario’s electricity system.

The PV installations will generate approximately 2,600 megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity annually, which is roughly equivalent to the consumption of 215 households, and will result in the reduction of approximately 480 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions a year. At least 60 per cent of the PV equipment will be made in Ontario, which will help support the growth of the solar energy industry in the province.

DCN NEWS SERVICES

Print | Comment