Staff
Town council was to get more information on solar panels during its budget meeting this afternoon.
A representative from Solar Logix Inc. was scheduled to make a presentation on roof-mounted photovoltaic panels after council had quite a few questions about the subject at its March 7 budget meeting.
As previously reported, council is contemplating the installation of rooftop-mounted solar panels on the Public Works garage, Memorial Sports Centre, Children’s Complex, water treatment plant, and Civic Centre.
It would cost the town an initial $453,500 to do the five projects, after which time the solar panels are projected to generate $60,756 per year in revenue—or $761,620 over the life of a 20-year contract.
This revenue would be realized through the feed-in tariff (FIT) program under the Ontario Green Energy Act, which guarantees specific rates for energy generation from renewable sources paid by the Ontario Power Authority (OPA).
Under the microFIT program, which is for generators of less than 10 kilowatts, the town would be guaranteed 80 cents per kilowatt hour produced through a 20-year contract with the OPA.
Also at today’s budget meeting, which is scheduled from 4-6 p.m. in the committee room downstairs at the Civic Centre, council will look at 2011 preliminary operating and capital budget updates, levy analyses and impacts, and reserve funds.
