North America’s largest solar photovoltaic energy park, aptly named First Light, celebrated its official groundbreaking in Stone Mills, Ontario. A SkyPower Corp., and SunEdison Canada joint venture (JV) will construct the 19-megawatt (MW) solar park on 300 acres of land in Lennox & Addington County, providing clean renewable energy to more than 2,000 homes annually. The estimated completion time for the project is by the end of 2009.
The health and environmental benefits from First Light warrant production of the park by reducing yearly carbon emissiosn equal to displacement of 4,200 cars and light trucks, each driving 12,000 miles per year. In addition, the government of Ontario along with the Ontario Power Authority has provided a platform for stimulating job creation and investment in the renewable market sector, the “Standard Offer Program of 2006.”
“The province commends SkyPower and SunEdison Canada for breaking ground on this very significant project,” said Ontario Minister of Energy Gerry Phillips. “In just over one year, the Renewable Energy Standard Offer Program has already exceeded its 10-year target of garnering 1,000 megawatts of contracted generation.”