The Solar Tree at Tourism London is funded by an Ontario Power Authority microFITcontract.

The electricity the system generates will provide revenue to pay for the project over the life of the contract. As a result, there will be no net cost to London taxpayers for this solar power installation. Solar power projects reduce the need to generate electricity from burning coal, which reduces air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

Placing the solar panels at Tourism London provides the public with an opportunity to learn more about renewable energy through an information centre to be set up at the Tourism London office.

The Solar Tree is designed in the image of the City logo; a visual landmark to highlight this clean, renewable energy project. The solar project will be highly visible from both directions on Wellington Rd.

Statistics:

• It is a 8.6 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic, ground-mounted system
• 3 pole mounted arrays (about 8 kWs) plus one unique, solar tree  (about 0.5 kWs)
• Solar Tree is 7 meters (23 feet) tall, has 27 leaves, each producing power
• The system will generate 10,000 kWh’s per year, about ½ of the annual electricity needs for the Tourism London building at 696 Wellington Rd.  (When the sun is shining, these panels could power up to 7 homes)
• Cost of project: $160,000
• Expected revenue: $165,000 over the 20-year contract
• The system will offset up to 10 tonnes of CO2 per year from coal-fired power plants

 
For more information:
Sean Russell, P.Eng.
City of London - Corporate Energy Management
srussell@london.ca
Office:      519.661.2500 ext. 5695
Mobile:  519.200.5958   

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