Two Solar Energy Farms Could Mean More Green Jobs in Ingersoll, Ontario
Encouraged by the potentially lucrative rates offered under Ontario’s feed-in-tariff (FIT) program, the Town of Ingersoll is planning to develop a solar energy farm. According to its calculations, this farm could generate up to $1.9 million a year for this southern Ontario town, producing 10 megawatts of clean electricity. The vote passed through city council, allowing Ingersoll to move ahead with a partnership with Intech Clean Energy to help develop the proposed farm.
According to Ingersoll’s Administrators Report, the proposal, if approved, would allow the town to commence development within the year. The Economic Connect Test (ECT) will be held in August if it passes the review, connection availability testing, and consideration for contract. If Ingersoll succeeds, this could create a mini-wave of green jobs throughout the region, from the purely technical to the administrative. However, to take advantage of the potential growth, the town will have to explore solar training to ensure that its workforce possesses the requisite skills and PV expertise.
The second project in Zorra Township has already been approved for FIT status – a Green Energy and Economy Act incentive designed to boost solar adoption throughout the province.
Why Adequate Solar Training Is Important
The solar energy farm will cost the city a hefty $32.5 million, and some fear it may be a gamble since several other proposals have failed to pass first round approvals due to lack of transmission capabilities to those areas of the province most in need of clean electricity. The solar farm is the largest investment ever made by the town, says Mayor Paul Holbrough, but it could generate $1.9 million per year.
Holbrough is confident that his project will supply the requisite transmission capacity that has alluded previous applicants. European firm, Intech Clean Energy, appears to share this optimism, having already opened an office in Ingersoll to help distribute solar panels for the proposed farm. If the project moves forward, however, the town may face unexpected bottlenecks if it lacks the workforce necessary to erect solar infrastructure. Ontario is no stranger to renewable energy, but in a recent survey by the Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA), solar firms reported substantial labour shortages - an imbalance that many believe will only worsen in the coming years absent adequate solar training and PV classes.
