While These days, the majority of the press and information surrounding photovoltaics currently emphasizes the potentialability of solar panels to bring in money by feeding power into the grid, produce power that can then be sold back into the grid. The environmental and economic benefits of this are cause for much excitement. However, the recent unveiling of GM Energy’s new solar-thermal site in Dublin, Ontario holds the key to another important facet of solar energy use. This new development proves that businesses and individuals can make a huge impact on their operating costs by utilizing the clean, green energy photovoltaics have to offer. The demonstration site specifically targets Ontario’s farmers.

Solar Installation Shines at Dublin, Ontario Farm

According to GM’s Thomas Greenside, the solar-thermal system at the Dublin site is expected to significantly reduce the chicken farm’s operating costs. The 18,000-square-foot farm has been outfitted with two solar dishes designed to track the sun’s path and harness solar energy throughout the day. As well, the facility boasts a 500-gallon solar energy storage tank to ensure that energy demands are met even outside of peak “harvesting” hours. The installation uses twelve heat exchangers to convert solar-heated water into useful electricity.

Ontario Farms Will Prove Photovoltaics Have Real Power

The development of this project is exciting news for farmers, as well as any large organization looking at solar energy as a means to meet its power demands. The demonstration site proves not only that solar panels can harness energy to be sold into the grid, but also that they can be used to meet the day-to-day needs of individuals and businesses. As the demand for solar panels and solar energy equipment grows across Ontario’s cities and farm communities, solar installation training will become an increasingly important way for workers to engage in this exciting new sector of the economy. With the swell of interest in green energy, hopes are high that solar power will have a positive effect on the way food is produced, and that installations like GM’s project in Dublin will lessen farming’s impact on the environment.

GM’s new demonstration facility is a good example of how businesses in Ontario can help the province make the switch to clean energy.