Town council has tripped the switch on what may be a solar energy plan to generate electricity to town-owned facilities.
Minto Chief Administrative Officer Bill White told council recently that two companies have shown interest in putting together a plan for solar energy projects for town properties and facilities.
Minto has been looking into solar generation for its arenas and other facilities and has received preliminary proposals from OYA and KW Power Logic, of Brussels.
“It would allow for the use of our facilities and get a guaranteed income from that,” White said of the preliminary plans being discussed.
“The leases are there for 20 years, with five-year renewals. We don’t have to commit at this point.”
Concerns were raised about specifics that might be included in any solar energy plan, including whether or not the town would be responsible for costs should a facility outfitted with solar panels need repairs.
Those concerns touched on if Minto would be financially responsible for lost energy time should panels have to be removed during repairs to a municipal structure.
White said in all likelihood the town could be responsible for financial losses when panels are removed for repairs to facilities.
Before either company would commit to the next stage of engineering work to determine which facilities could be outfitted with solar panels, White said council had to pick one of the companies.
Council decided to engage KW Power Logic. According to White, that company’s plan included 13 different facilities in Clifford, Palmerston, and Harriston, as well as potential ground-mounted panels on other town properties yet to be determined.
All locations have to be assessed for suitability and power supply during the company’s due diligence period. They will be looking at locations such as arenas, public works buildings, fire halls, pools, and town offices.
Power Logic is suggesting an annual income to the town of around $49,700 plus revenue that could come from a donated panel the company would provide.
The company will pay for third-party engineering costs to review their engineer’s assessment of roof suitability, White added.
