Markham First City to Join Ontario's Clean Energy Program

 
 

January 26, 2011 10:00 AM

McGuinty Government Supporting Energy Efficiency And Solar Projects

Markham is helping provide Ontario families with clean energy through two new rooftop solar projects. This includes the first municipally-owned project to provide power under the province's clean energy Feed-In Tariff program.

A new 250-kilowatt solar project at 8100 Warden Ave. will produce enough clean electricity each year to power 26 homes. A 10-kilowatt solar project at the Markham Civic Centre is also in operation with live information available online through the SolarVu Energy Portal. These solar projects are part of Markham's broader plan to increase the energy efficiency of civic buildings in the city.

These solar projects play an important role in Ontario's Energy Plan, which includes getting the province off smog-producing, coal-fired generation and on to cleaner energy sources like wind, solar and bio-energy. The plan is making Ontario a global clean energy leader, sparking a new industry and thousands of new, good jobs in Ontario.

As Ontario makes important investments to the electricity system and transitions to a modern, clean energy system, the McGuinty government is providing some relief for families by providing the Ontario Clean Energy Benefit. The new benefit came into effect at the beginning of the year and is helping families by providing 10 per cent off their electricity bills for the next five years. Ontario families, farms and small businesses will automatically receive the benefit on their electricity bill.

Bringing on new sources of clean energy is part of the province's Open Ontario Plan to create jobs and strengthen our economy.

QUICK FACTS

 
  • Ontario provided Markham with $2.4 million in provincial funding for energy retrofits, facility accessibility improvements and rehabilitation of the Emergency Operations Centre.
  • Markham estimates that a solar thermal pool heating system installed in the Milliken Mills Community Centre in 2007 has reduced gas consumption by nearly 37,000 cubic metres.
  • In 2003, Ontario had 19 polluting coal units and no solar projects online. Today more than 2,900 solar projects are feeding electricity into Ontario's grid, eight coal units have already been shut down and by 2014 all coal units will be closed.

CONTACTS

  • For media inquiries only
    Andrew Block, Minister's Office
    416-327-6747
    Andrew.Block@nullontario.ca
  • For media inquiries only
    Anne Smith, Communications Branch
    416-327-7226
    Anne.L.Smith@nullontario.ca
  • For public inquiries call
    1-888-668-4636
    nullTTY: 1-800-239-4224



Ministry of Energy
ontario.ca/energy


 

"Markham is showing great leadership in energy efficiency and is helping Ontario build a clean energy economy with this solar project that will produce clean power for Ontario families. Ontario's energy plan is creating new opportunities for families and businesses in Markham, and across Ontario as we build a clean, modern energy system and create thousands of jobs."

 – Brad Duguid
Minister of Energy

"I would like to commend the Town of Markham for their foresight and initiative in supporting renewable, sustainable energy. Clean energy projects will bring great benefits to our community, reducing energy costs and environmental impact for both current and future generations. Great local leadership like this contributes significantly to making Markham such a wonderful place in which to live, work and play."

 – Michael Chan
MPP Markham-Unionville

"Through Markham's Greenprint Sustainability Plan, community sustainability remains a top priority; and with that, increasing use of solar technology at our community facilities. The 10-kilowatt solar system at our civic centre provided the evidence we needed to pursue more ambitious projects through the Ontario government's Feed-In Tariff program like our 250-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system at 8100 Warden Avenue. Both installations have demonstrated the tremendous potential of solar as a viable green energy solution."

 – Frank Scarpitti
Mayor, Markham

"We are pleased to have played a supportive role in connecting this Town of Markham solar generation system to our distribution grid. When the system was connected it became the first large-scale installation in our service territory to officially become operational in conjunction with our assets."

 – Brian Bentz
President and CEO, PowerStream Inc.

 
 
 
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