50 megawatt solar project to be built in Windsor, Ont.
by Cleantech Canada Staff
Project will create hundreds of jobs, power 8,500 houses annually
Enbridge’s Sarnia Solar Project in the nearby southwestern Ontario city. PHOTO: Enbridge
WINDSOR, Ont.—Windsor International Airport will be home to southwestern Ontario’s newest solar project.
Samsung Renewable Energy, Inc. and Connor, Clark and Lunn Infrastructure have announced the formation of a partnership that will fund a 50 megawatt solar farm located on the city’s airport grounds.
“The Windsor Solar project, along with our other projects in the province, is creating thousands of high-skilled jobs that will benefit real people in this community and across Ontario,” Steve Cho, vice-president of Samsung C&T, said.
The Windsor Solar project will use solar panels manufactured in Canada by Canadian Solar as well as inverters produced by SMA America. The companies have secured $195 million in financing for the project that will power 8,500 homes annually, the equivalent of taking nearly 15,000 cars off the road.
“This partnership between Windsor Solar, the City of Windsor and Windsor International Airport not only brings a green energy investment to the city, but will generate revenue for the City and create jobs during the installation phase of the project,” Windsor mayor, Drew Dilkens, said.
The project will employ hundreds of Ontarians from manufacturing to site construction, installation and eventually, operations. The companies said at peak construction the site itself will require more than 100 workers. Windsor Solar has also secured a 20-year power purchase agreement with Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator. The project is expected to bring $18 million in local investment to Windsor.
Construction on the airport solar installation is slated to begin shortly and expected to be completed in late 2016 or early 2017.
