Expected to create approximately 100 new construction jobs in the region, SunE Rutley will also be the first large-scale solar project in Ontario to meet the FIT program's 60 percent domestic content requirement by using solar PV panels, inverters and racking structures manufactured in Ontario.
The 42,000 solar PV panels used for the project will be supplied by SunEdison's parent company MEMC, and manufactured in Newmarket, Ontario. The company began producing solar panels in July 2011 and recently celebrated the creation of 400 new manufacturing jobs with partner Flextronics.
"This is our fifth large-scale solar project in Ontario in the past two years alone. We are proud to add this achievement to a growing number of milestones for SunEdison and for the Province of Ontario," said Jason Gray, Vice President and Country Manager for SunEdison. "SunEdison is a global leader in the solar industry and we are committed to building a sustainable and long-term solar industry in this province. Solar energy is an important part of the electricity supply mix, and is becoming a key component of Ontario's economy."
The system, covering 90 acres of land approximately the size of 50 Canadian football fields is expected to begin transmitting energy by December 2011 to Hydro One, Ontario's largest electricity transmission and distribution company. SunEdison expects the solar park to generate more than 300 million kilowatt hours (kWh) in the first 20 years of production, enough electricity to power approximately 28,000 homes annually. Additionally, it will offset more than 61.6 million kilograms of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which is equivalent to removing more than 13,000 cars from the road for one year.
"We are pleased to have this renewable energy project in the Township of South Stormont," said Mayor Bryan McGillis, Township of South Stormont. "Projects such as this contribute to positive economic growth throughout the region by using workers from our community."
http://fit.powerauthority.on.ca
http://www.memc.com
