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Ontario to Build 40 MW Solar Farm, through SOP

May 1, 2007 | 3 Comments

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Toronto, Ontario [RenewableEnergyAccess.com] Ontario's electricity grid will soon get a boost from 14 new renewable energy projects -- including the recently announced 40 megawatts (MW) solar farm -- awarded through the country's Standard Offer Program (SOP), according to Canada's Energy Minister Dwight Duncan.

"Our goal is to make solar power a mainstream energy source."

-- Peter Carrie, OptiSolar Farms, VP

Slated to be one of the world's largest solar farms, OptiSolar Farms will install more than one million ground-mounted solar panels to convert solar power into electricity. Planned for Sarnia, this project will comprise four solar farms and contribute 40 MW to the grid by 2010.

"The Ontario government has chosen to take a world-leading role in encouraging the development of renewable energy, and the Standard Offer Program is making things happen," said OptiSolar Farms vice-president Peter Carrie. "Our goal is to make solar power a mainstream energy source."

The announcement brings to 36 the number of projects awarded under the SOP since February. Taken together, these projects will generate 250 MW of renewable energy. The projects include two residential-sized solar photovoltaic installations, several 10-MW wind farms and two waterpower projects with First Nations participation. The Gitchi Animki Bezhig project will produce more than 8 MW of electricity; the Gitchi Animki Niizh project will produce 9.9 MW. All of the contracted projects are expected to be in service by 2010.

Ontario's Renewable Standard Offer Program is the largest of its kind in North America and is expected to add 1,000 MW of clean energy to the grid over the next 10 years. "The Standard Offer Program is transforming the way we generate electricity in Ontario," said Duncan.

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3 Reader Comments

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1 of 3

bob-bobby-65462

May 2, 2007

There are likely a number of issues. The number of daylight hours varies seasonally here in Canada compared to near the equator. So in winter energy generation would be low compared to the summer months.

Other items, some more localized would included average hours of sun per day and even possibly smog, transmission distance (solar is inherently low voltage), access for maintenance, exposure to damaging weather (hail damage), ...

My biggest concern is whether solar is a good choice for climate change? Warmer temperatures predict more cloud and adverse weather i.e. higher maintenance with lowering of average sun hours!

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2 of 3

david-cooke-34064

May 2, 2007

If they are not well ventilated the efficiency of those panels goes down as they get hot in the sun. A 1kW array will produce only 850-900w when they get above 100 degrees F, like on a roof when the summer air temperature is 80-90 degrees, where they can easily exceed 100-120 degrees F. But, in freezing temperatures, like here in the "great white north", that same 1kW array can be putting out almost 1.2kW.

If you can track the sun even better . . you get as much as 50% more energy in the summer and up to 30% more in winter . . . I don't know . . . maybe the numbers can work . . I'm from Sarnia originally but . . It's got to be "Patient Money".

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3 of 3

glenn-andersen-47991

May 2, 2007

OK, probably a dumb question, but one that keeps nagging me. How can places so far north, like Ontario, use solar energy economically? Given the necessity to angle solar collectors towards the sun, which means aiming them at a lower angle than over, say the equator, would it be more efficient to build a solar collection facility closer to the equator?

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