Once online, the projects – which are still subject to technical and financial feasibility, as well as various government approvals – could earn the city up to $250,000 per year, it said in a release.
The city’s most recent solar arrays were installed in December on the roofs of City Hall, at 110 Laurier Ave., and the Transit Services Integrated Control Centre at 875 Belfast Rd.
Energy produced through the pilot project feeds into the province’s power grid through Hydro Ottawa’s distribution system, the city said, creating a new revenue stream.
A final contract for the pilot project has not yet been signed, it added.
Additionally, the city said it is “considering” up to 20 other installations at “large municipal buildings” – enough to power more than 300 homes per year – though it did not indicate which structures around the city may be candidates.
A City of Ottawa media relations representative told OBJ the city is working with Energy Ottawa, a Hydro Ottawa affiliate, as project manager for the sustainable energy initiatives.
She said Energy Ottawa engaged local firm Ottawa Solar Power to design and install the two current solar arrays, and will continue that relationship in the case of further installations.
Each of the currently installed solar arrays is a 10 kW grid-tied solar photovoltaic system, the city said.
As part of the Ontario Power Authority’s Feed-in-Tariff program, the energy they product will be sold to the authority for $0.802/kWh over the next 20 years.
A report on the planned project is set to go before the environment committee on Jan. 18.
