Ontario in Canada has big plans for renewable energy and a new contract signed by a group of companies last week signals the region is working seriously towards energy sustainability.
The deal in question involves a contract to supply and support a 5 MW ground mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) system, composed of 20,410 modules. It was signed between Alderville First Nation, a First Nations community within Southeastern Ontario established in 1837, and Silfab Ontario, a Canadian company currently preparing its new PV module manufacturing plant in Mississauga, Ontario.
The ground mounted system will use the Silfab SLA245M high-efficiency modules made from 60 mono-crystalline high efficiency silicon cells produced in Ontario in accordance with the Ontario Feed In Tariff program domestic content requirements.
The solar farm, consisting of a combination of fixed mounted racks and single axis trackers, will be installed on Alderville owned properties and is expected to be operational by November 2011 with an estimated production of approximately 5.7 million kWh per year. That is the equivalent to over 80,000 tons of avoided CO2 emissions during the lifetime of the facility.
“We are very excited to be working with Silfab on our ground mounted solar facility” says Chief James Marsden, Chief of Alderville First Nation. “Programs like the Ontario Feed In Tariff program are giving communities, like Alderville, an opportunity to bring additional economic opportunities into the community to benefit its current membership and its future generations.”
Plans
Silfab and Alderville intend to create a partnership that includes the training of local resources and the development of a Centre of Excellence for advancing solar energy research, education, and training. The goal is to help the community to become self-sufficient in the management of the facility and be capable of developing future solar power projects.
“We are very proud to be part of this important project for the Alderville First Nation community” said Franco Traverso, Silfab’s CEO and President, a photovoltaic solar veteran whose experience stretches back to 1981. “We see great opportunities for similar communities and we are optimistic about the growth of the photovoltaic industry in Canada. Alderville has demonstrated great foresight and planning in the development of this project.”
Later this month Silfario will start the manufacturing of mono and multi-crystalline high-efficiency PV modules with a power up to 300 Wp, suited for both rooftop and ground-mounted applications at its 100,000 square feet plant in Ontario.
Article by Antonio Pasolini, appearing courtesy Justmeans.
