Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens, Ward 5 Councillor Ed Sleiman, Moose Power, EG Energy Management Inc., Essex Energy Corporation, and the City of Windsor’s Asset Planning Department came together today to announce the launch of a $2.4 million investment to make City-owned facilities more energy efficient.
Following the assessment and design approvals of each site, 12 City facilities have been identified for the installation of new solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, which include new net metering infrastructure to help offset the consumption of power currently taken from the electricity grid.
The 12 facilities planned to receive the enhancements over the next year include the following:
1. Optimist Community Centre and Library
2. Forest Glade Community Centre and Library
3. Constable John Atkinson Memorial Community Centre
4. Fire Hall #2
5. Fire Hall #5
6. Fire Hall #6 and Emergency Operations Centre
7. Fire Hall #7
8. Fire Apparatus Building
9. Parks & Recreation Facilities Storage
10. Parks & Recreation Maintenance Yard
11. South Windsor Library
12. Fontainebleau Library
Through the installation of new solar panels and net metering systems, the City of Windsor is estimated to save 1.1 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year and more than $220,000 in electricity costs.
Since 2015, the City has installed three large solar systems on City facilities, with a total installed capacity of 1.35 megawatts (MW).
In 2017, City Council approved Windsor’s Community Energy Plan, which recommends 16 strategies and 29 specific actions to be taken by the City of Windsor to reduce energy use and mitigate climate change. A section of this plan includes a focus on renewable energy consumption, and this project alone satisfies two out of three specific strategies outlined: 1) Explore Net Metering and 2) Continue to Invest in Rooftop Solar.
In the next 12 months, the City does not expect any delays or pause in services and amenities that are currently available at any of the participating facilities while the rooftop projects are installed. Most projects are set to be complete by the summer of 2023.
Find out more about the City of Windsor’s environmental initiatives.
Quotes:
“Creating a healthy community fit for the next generation means that we need to look at all of our facilities to find energy and environmental efficiencies. Through our Environmental Master Plan and Community Energy Plan, we’re delivering results to enhance our economic advantage, improve our energy performance, and mitigate the climate crisis we are faced with today. Today’s investment is another step the City is taking to create a smart energy future and a better quality of life for the community.”
- Mayor Drew Dilkens
“The Constable John Atkinson Memorial Community Centre is a popular destination for all ages in Ward 5, and it is a facility that requires plenty of power to light its NBA-sized gym, kitchen, stage, splash pad, outdoor spaces, and much more. I’m pleased to see this project come to fruition and the savings both the City and residents can expect in the coming months.”
- Ward 5 Councillor Ed Sleiman
