Township of Terrace Bay Goes Solar
The Township of Terrace Bay has installed two 10 Kw solar power systems on Municipal Buildings. The most easily visible is the 46 panel system installed at the top of the Community Centre roof. Additionally, another similar system is installed at the top of the Michael King Hall which is more hidden from view. CAO Carmelo Notarbartolo says
– “We carried out a competitive tender process for the project and have been very impressed with the performance to date of Maki Bay Solar from Thunder Bay with the installation. The payback period on the two systems is estimated at 7 years and it will generate revenues of $10,000 – $12,000 a year through a 20 year guaranteed contract with the Ontario Power Authority.” The panels are a dark blue colour and will require very little in the way of maintenance as snow would build up on the panels mainly if there is no sun – which would require no shovelling or cleaning by staff. Staff will have an online system allowing them to check the performance of the panels while also alerting them if there are any possible issues. The installation of the panels are viewed as a way for the Municipality to meet some of their goals in Environmental Stewardship as outlined in the Strategic Plan of Council while at the same time generating a good rate of return on the investment. The next step in the process will be the connection of the system to the electrical grid and inspection by the Ontario Power Authority. The system is expected to be fully operational in early 2013. For more information on Terrace Bay, visit www.terracebay.ca/news or www.facebook.com/yourterracebay.
Solar Power System on Terrace Bay Community Centre
