MEMC Electronic materials’ subsidiary SunEdison and its project partner Skypower have earned the “Solar PV Project of the Year for Ground Mount” from CanSIA, a solar association in Canada. The award was presented to the partners for the 9.1MW First Light Solar Energy Park in Stone Mills, Ontario. Given by Honourable George Smitherman, the award pays recognition to First Light Solar Energy’s status as the largest solar energy park to ever be built in Canada.
Minister Smitherman said, “The First Light Solar Energy Park’s grand opening made solar dreams real for a lot of people in the industry – not just in Ontario – but across the country. For being the spark that is without question the very first big bright light of solar in Canada – but certainly not the last, we offer our congratulations.”
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The system covers 90 acres of land and began transmitting energy to Hydro One Networks, Ontario’s largest electricity transmission and distribution company, on September 30th.
SunEdison President and Executive VP of MEMC, Carlos Domenech, said, “We are honored that we have been recognized along with our partner, SkyPower, with such a prestigious award from CanSIA. It is a reflection of SunEdison’s commitment to Canada, and underscores the opportunities for renewable energy made possible in Ontario. SunEdison looks forward to continued development of rooftop and ground mount solar systems throughout the Province, and throughout Canada.”
As First Light was constructed, environmental concerns were taken in consideration. In addition, SunEdison and SkyPower worked alongside Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources to successfully preserve the endangered Eastern Loggerhead Shrike’s habitat. The site itself was placed on bedrock that would have had limited use for other developments, a means of protecting agricultural lands.