Mississauga to launch first renewable energy project

The city of Mississauga (Canada) will launch its first renewable energy project with the installation of solar photovoltaic panels on a recreation centre.

The photovoltaic panels will generate 25 to 30 kilowatts of electricity, which is equivalent to the power required to light a typical fire station for one year.  The electricity will be sold to the Province of Ontario grid, generating revenue of approximately $US 11,800 ($CDN 12,500) per year. The project is also expected to reduce CO₂ emissions by 25,800 kilograms per year for approximately 25 years.

The estimated &US 28,300 ($CDN 30,000) project is expected to be completed by September 2007.  The project will be funded jointly by the City of Mississauga and Enersource Hydro Mississauga, with each partner providing $US 141,650 ($CDN 150,000).

Fossil-fuel based power are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. Green power from renewable energy sources emit no or low greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants. Green power can include electricity generated exclusively from renewable resources including wind, hydro-electric or solar power – or electricity produced from a combination of fossil and renewable resources. For more information on the generation and use of green power at the local level, please visit www.iclei.org/ccp.

Mississauga is one of 19 local governments in Canada that are currently Members of ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability.  For more information on ICLEI and its activities in Canada, please visit www.iclei.org/canada.

Source:  Clean Air Partnership – Spring/Summer 2007.