The National Post is reporting that the city of Toronto has entered an agreement with Toronto Hydro in order to install 8,800 solar panels on 10 city-owned arenas and community centres. The panels are expected to produce around 2,600MWh of electricity per year over the next 20 years.
Through a contract with the Ontario Power Authority, the program holds expectations of bringing in around CAN$16 million by allowing Toronto to sell the solar power generated. Toronto is one of the latest cities in Ontario to participate in such a solar plan, which follows closely to the one the city of Belleville implemented under a 20-year contract with the OPA.
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“By far, most of the rooftop and solar installations that are being developed are by private developers on privately-owned buildings,” said Rob Maxwell, manager of the Toronto Renewable Energy Office. The panels installed on the buildings will have an average lifespan of 25 years, after which they will be salvaged.
Installations already begun earlier this week at the Mimico Arena, York Mills Arena and the Goulding Community Centre. The seven remaining locations will see installations started throughout the fall. The city noted that it plans to submit applications for added solar panels locations in October.