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Playing our part to stimulate the economy

Solar Roof Project

The city's recent installation of a 500-kW photovoltaic roof, made of 200-watt solar panels, on top of the Kitchener Operations Facility (KOF) - the largest solar rooftop installation in Canada - received $2,733,334 in federal and provincial infrastructure stimulus funding. The city also contributed $1,366,667 in funding, which means the total amount allocated for this project was $4.1 million.

The installation is now complete and the solar roof is generating power. An official unveiling event was held in June 2011, where representatives from all three levels of government and other partners "flipped the switch" on the roof.

Project background

Installing photovoltaic solar panels on top of the KOF allows the city to use approximately 262,000 square feet of roof area to generate electricity directly from the sun.

City council approved the project, on the condition that the costs are covered through the 2009 federal/provincial budget infrastructure funding program; and through the OPA's proposed FIT program, which would pay $.0635 per kilowatt hour for Photovoltaic solar (PVS) energy systems up to 500 kW per hour in size.

The city borrowed the remaining funds -- approximately $1.366 million -- from its own Local Environmental Action Fund (LEAF) at the prevailing rate of borrowing, over a five-year term.

The solar-roof will:

  • Reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by replacing fossil fuel combustion.
  • Increase electricity production for the electricity grid.
  • Contribute to a more diversified fuel supply for electricity.
  • Reduce dependence on high-voltage transmission lines.
  • Produce clean energy during the peak demand of the summer season.
  • Create new, high-skilled jobs.


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