EDF EN Canada has begun the commercial operation of the second 11.8 MWp installation in St Isidore, Ontario.
Two solar photovoltaic systems were installed at the St Isidore project, which is situated near the town of St Isidore. St Isidore B, the second 11.8 MWp installation, started supplying clean electricity to the distribution grid of the Hydro One from late December 2011. St Isidore A, the first 11.5 MWp installation, was online during December 2010. Under the terms of Renewable Energy Standard Offer Program (RESOP) of the Government of Ontario, these two installations will jointly provide approximately 24 MWp of electricity.
The location of the St Isidore B contains 52,000 panels that will produce solar energy in order to meet the requirements of around 3,500 homes in Ontario. Over 200 employees were engaged in the design and construction works, which were started in early 2010. Maintenance services and long-term operations will be provided by enXco Service Canada.
According to Jon Kieran, EDF EN Canada’s Director of solar development, the company will be expanding the advantages of solar energy to the community in St Isidore. This project will increase the total solar capacity in East Ontario to more than 70 MWp, making the company as one of the main producers of solar energy in Ontario.
As part of the company’s solar achievements, the St Isidore project combines with the Arnprior and the Elmsley solar projects. RESOP has developed all the sites.