Ontario is set to benefit from yet another major clean energy victory, as plans for two solar photovoltaic parks are coming into fruition. On March 25, 2010, a groundbreaking ceremony was held in Norfolk County to launch two new solar photovoltaic parks that will be able to generate 18 Megawatts of renewable power. The utility-scale PV parks are to be developed through a joint venture between SunEdison and SkyPower Limited. The Ontario Power Authority (OPA), meanwhile, will purchase the clean energy generated from the PV parks through a contract with the joint venture.
Once complete, the two solar parks will generate 19 million kWh in their first year, and about 400 million kWh over the next 20 years. This amount of energy is enough to power about 33,000 homes. And this amount of “clean” energy will help to remove 250 thousand metric tons of CO2 emissions from the environment - or the equivalent of taking 60,000 cards off the road for one year.
Opportunities in the Ontario Solar Industry
Dubbed the SunE Sky Norfolk I and II, the two PV parks are considered an important milestone in the growth and development of Ontario’s solar industry. Dave Levac, Parliamentary Assistant to Ontario’s Minister of Energy, points out how this joint venture can play an important role in the province’s “effort to create a world-leading market for green power and energy-efficient technologies.” SunE Sky Norfolk I and II will merge nicely with existing Ontario-based efforts like the Green Energy Act and the Feed-in-Tariff program, which lets private business and commercial users of photovoltaic systems feed clean energy into the grid at assured prices.
A project of this scale, however, could yield economic benefits that potentially outshine the environmental ones. Norfolk County Mayor, Dennis Travale, points out how
The SunE Sky parks here in Norfolk represent a great opportunity to diversify our economy and take Norfolk in a new and positive direction, protecting and improving our quality of life and essential services to our citizens.
He went on to add that “projects such as this will create hundreds of green jobs for Canadians.”
Politicians and would-be power producers are not the only ones taking note. This recent venture has even caught the attention of solar panel training firms further down the value chain. To help meet the anticipated demand that SunE Sky and other initiatives will help to produce, Ontario Solar Academy continues to expand its 5-Day solar training classes for people across the province hoping to become certified in PV installation and design.
The participants in the joint venture are likewise optimistic and view this groundbreaking as a springboard for similar undertakings in the future. Kerry Adler, President and CEO of SkyPower, is “looking forward to breaking ground on many more solar projects.” Jason Gray, SunEdison country manager for Canada, closed by saying that
We’re at the dawn of a new energy future in Canada, and SunEdison is excited to lead the way. The Green Energy Act and its Feed-in-Tariff Program [have[ opened up new opportunities for Ontario-based organizations to benefit from solar PV ground-mount and roof-top projects. We look forward to playing a key role in helping them meet their financial goals, while creating green jobs for Canadians, and a sustainable environment for generations to come.
