Posts Tagged ‘ontario solar academy’

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SkyPower Creates New Solar Park in Ontario

Friday, March 11th, 2011

One of Canada’s largest owners and developers of solar projects, SkyPower, has signed on with Fort Williams First Nation in Thunder Bay, Ontario to develop a solar park on the First Nation’s land.  The 10MW project will cover about 10,000 acres of Fort Williams’ property and house 45,000 solar panels.  “This successful partnership demonstrates our commitment to strategic partnerships in renewable energy and we continue to explore similar opportunities to ensure a brighter future for future generations,” said SkyPower President and CEO, Kerry Adler.

When the park is completed, it will generate enough clean energy to power the equivalent of 17,000 homes a year for the next twenty years, while ensuring a host of new alternative energy jobs.  “Our energy plan is creating jobs for Ontario families and is turning Ontario into a global clean energy powerhouse,” said Minister of Energy, the Hon. Brad Duguid.  “It is important partnerships like this one with First Nations communities that will help ensure a clean, strong and reliable energy system for the future of our children and grandchildren.”

Ontario Solar Park Creates Alternative Energy Jobs

According to SkyPower, this solar park will create at least 100 new alternative energy jobs in the local area.  Senior Director, James Pagonis, hopes the community will provide more educational opportunities such as solar panel classes and PV training courses.  “We are creating high quality, good paying jobs and providing local investment that will strengthen the local economy,” said Adler.  PV courses are recommended, as the project will be completed by the end of summer 2011.

SkyPower Boosts Need for PV Courses

In addition to its numerous solar panel projects across Ontario, SkyPower allows property owners to get involved with the feed-in-tariff (FIT) program – an ambitious government incentive that not only helps to boost the provincial economy, but it also helps boost overall demand for solar panel classes and related green training.  Consumers willing to use SkyPower’s rooftop solar PV applications can actively partake in Ontario’s emerging green energy economy and receive generous incentive payments for any clean energy produced and fed into the grid, thus, contributing to a healthier environment and creating more alternative energy jobs

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Ontario’s FIT, MicroFIT Projects Subject to New Fees

Wednesday, March 9th, 2011

As of March 15, Ontario’s green energy producers will be subject to a new set of fees for applications they make for feed-in tariff (FIT), microFIT, and other renewable power projects.  The province has a rapidly-expanding market for solar, wind, and other clean power sources that has created thousands of kilowatts (kW) of green energy and boosted the careers of workers in these industries.  In exchange for the new Renewable Energy Approval fees, the Ministry of the Environment will streamline the approvals process in order to make it easier for businesses, organizations, and individuals to participate in this emerging area in the future.

The FIT and microFIT are parts of a government initiative to diversify Ontario’s energy supply mix and to use cleaner forms of energy to replace the province’s coal-fired power plants by 2014.  The programs keep the initiative on course by paying high prices to producers of solar photovoltaic (PV), wind, and biomass energy.  In turn, they provide spin-off benefits like new career opportunities and training courses like Ontario Solar Academy’s PV design and installation training program.

Fees Help Simplify Process, Keep Solar Energy, Career Training on Course

The new Renewable Energy Approval fees, as drafted, range from $1,000 to $67,905, depending on the type and size of project.  However, the Ontario government’s recent decision to impose a moratorium on off-shore wind projects effectively cancels the highest fee, leaving the top payout at $56,458 for on-shore wind farms larger than 50 MW.  Owners of new PV projects will now pay $1,000 for government approval of installations of 500 kW and less and $12,844 for larger solar farms.

According to a government website, “The Renewable Energy Approval simplifies the number and types of approvals required for new renewable energy projects, integrating environmental, health, and safety matters previously dealt with by a number of provincial, municipal and proponent-driven processes into one process.”  While Ontario’s new fees may present an obstacle for newcomers to the province’s green energy industry, the recent decision reflects the government’s responsibility to ensure that this new market evolves into a long-term, stable sector of the economy that helps to create a healthy and prosperous future for Ontarians.

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SkyPower’s and Fort William First Nation Create Renewable Energy Jobs

Monday, February 21st, 2011

SkyPower Limited (SkyPower), a Toronto-based solar energy company, recently signed an agreement with the Fort Williams First Nation (FWFN) to create a solar park project in Thunder Bay, Ontario.  This particular solar project is special in that it marks the first time this type of large-scale solar energy project has taken place on First Nation Land in Canada.  Covering about 100 acres of Fort William First Nation land in Thunder Bay, Ontario, the park is not notable simply for its size and scope, but it is also expected be a generous source of new renewable energy jobs for qualified individuals with solar PV course training.

“In Ontario, it is essential that we are continuously driving and fostering innovative relationships in the clean energy sector.  We are pleased to be a part of such a unique agreement to develop this solar park,” said Kerry Adler, SkyPower President and CEO.  “Since the founding of Toronto-based SkyPower, we have always sought unique opportunities for collaboration and partnership with First Nation communities.”  He continued, “This successful partnership demonstrates our commitment to strategic partnerships in renewable energy and we continue to explore similar opportunities to ensure a brighter future for future generations.”

About the Solar Energy Park

Construction of this unique solar energy project will begin in early 2011, with completion currently slated for later this summer.  When the solar park becomes operational, it will generate enough clean energy to power 17,000 homes per year for the next twenty years.  Environmentalists will be happy as the project’s Carbon Dioxide Offset is estimated to be 130,000 tonnes over the expected lifetime of the project.

Agreement Increases Demand for Solar Energy Classes / PV Courses

This agreement is also significant as the partnership will result in an increase in renewable energy jobs in Ontario, thus, helping to boost demand for green professionals who have successfully completed PV courses or solar energy classes in the province’s growing renewable energy market.  By enrolling in schools like Ontario Solar Academy, aspiring solar PV installers can receive their full training and certification in as little as five days.



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Canadian Solar Generates 400 Green Jobs

Monday, February 14th, 2011

Canadian Solar Inc. held a Guelph job fair in early February to help fill the more than 400 green jobs that the company has recently created.  There are already 100 people working in the company’s plant for the current production line, and next week marks the company’s first solar module shipment.  Two more production lines are coming alone soon, prompting the company to hold the job fair.

Milfred Hammerbacher, President of Canadian Solar Solutions, a subsidiary of Canadian Solar Inc. is a picture of enthusiasm for his company’s product.  ”I’ve been in the solar business a long time.  It’s still amazing to me that you can take a panel like this and generate electricity,” he says.  When fully operational, the Guelph plant is capable of producing 220 MW of solar energy per year.

Ontario’s Green Energy Act and FIT Ramp Up Green Jobs

Canadian Solar Inc. initially outsourced production of its solar panels to seven plants in China, but with the arrival of Ontario’s Green Energy Act, the company decided to bring its production capacity closer to home in order to qualify for the province’s domestic content requirements.  While the company’s solar cells are still made in China, the panels are assembled in a Guelph factory that the company purchased in September of 2010.  The Ontario Green Energy Act is also responsible for the feed-in-tariff (FIT) program, which is a pricing structure for the production of renewable energy.  The FIT program has not only brought manufacturers into the province, but it has also attracted investors, thereby expanding green job opportunities and interest in solar classes.

Importance of Solar Classes for Green Job Opportunities

According to sources, Canadian Solar’s job fair was immensely successful.  Prospective employees not only filled a meeting room, but they also queued down the hallway and spilled out into the parking lot.  One of the applicants interviewed is a Cambridge resident who just lost his job at a metal stamping company – stories like his are common.

As older industries like metal stamping and automotive manufacturing continue to face dwindling prospects, it is likely that more citizens across the province will begin exploring green job opportunities like those offered by Canadian Solar.  However, success favors the most prepared, suggesting that those truly interested in qualifying for the green jobs of tomorrow should secure the requisite training in solar design and PV installation.

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Renewable Energy Careers in the Niagara Region

Saturday, February 12th, 2011

In southern Ontario, the Niagara Region has joined the Ontario Clean Technology Alliance (OCTA), an organization with representation in Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, Waterloo Region, Windsor-Essex, London, Sarnia-Lambton, Chatham-Kent, and Guelph.  In a continuing cross-border exchange of technology learned in solar panel workshops and photovoltaic (PV) certification courses, alliance members were promoting Southern Ontario in Phoenix, Ariz. as a green-energy hub at the Energy, Utility, and Environment Conference EUEC 2011.  “We’re looking at it as a very cost-effective way of getting Niagara’s name out there,” said Alan Teichroeb, VP of Business Planning for the Niagara Economic Development Corp (NEDC).  ”When you’re marketing beyond the borders of your country, it’s particularly important to create alliances and partnerships.”

Municipal economic renewal efforts are part of many initiatives taken by the private sector in the region to encourage clean energy and green economics.  The rooftop at the 20 Bees Winery on Niagara Stone Road will have a different look come this spring when it becomes the new home for a 109-kilowatt solar energy system.  Enfinity, a global renewable energy company, will lease the rooftop space.  “Enfinity approached us about doing it and we’re very excited about it,” said Matt Dixon, Brand Manager for Diamond Estates, owner of the winery.  ”We think this is a great way to get alternative energy,” he said.  ”It benefits us; it benefits the community because everything goes back into the grid.”

PV Certification Course: Road to Entrepreneurship

Many Niagara residents have started attending solar panel workshops and PV certification classes to prepare themselves for renewable energy careers in the province.  After taking PV design and installation training at Ontario Solar Academy, Niagara construction consultant and electrical contractor, Luciano Di Leonardo, started two new companies: SolarHarvest Power Corporation Ltd. and SunHarvest Solar.  Similar examples of solar-powered entrepreneurship exist throughout the province as residents and business owners alike embrace the economic potential of photovoltaic technology.

Niagara’s political and business gurus recently erected signs along the QEW calling Niagara the “Green Energy Capital of Ontario.”  Renewable energy careers will grow alongside grapes in the vineyards of solar panel workshops.  They will be the new wine served at the clean energy table.  It is a sweet and intoxicating prospect.

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New Solar and PV Installation Agreement Benefits Green Ontarians

Tuesday, February 8th, 2011

Two solar companies, Unirac, Inc. and Canadian Solar Solutions, Inc. announced recently that they now offer a new joint solar package for their customers.  The two companies now offer the 300 megawatts package, which consists of Canadian Solar Solution’s photovoltaic (PV) panels and Unirac’s solar racking systems, for either commercial or residential use in Canada.  Dr. Shawn Qu, Chairman and CEO of Canadian Solar Inc. said that, “the partnership helps assure optimized power production in a rooftop and ground mount environment.”

Both companies are very optimistic about the partnership as well as the future of sustainable energy.  Ontario customers will receive the highest levels of system performance, and they can increase the return on their investment through Ontario’s feed-in tariff (FIT) program, as well as create a clean, sustainable source of energy.

The Future of Solar PV Installation Training and other Green Jobs

In 2009, the Ontario provincial government introduced different incentive and support programs to encourage solar projects, including the feed-in tariff program.  This in turn created more green jobs and increased demand for workers with solar PV installation training.  Enrollment in sola PV schools, like Ontario Solar Academy, has risen considerably in the past year, highlighting this increased interest and the long-term appeal of this rapidly growing industry.  Partnerships, such as that of Canadian Solar Solutions and Unirac, will further boost future interest in solar PV installation training, renewable energy certification, and green jobs.

More on Canadian Solar Solutions and Unirac

Canadian Solar Solutions is a subsidiary of Canadian Solar, Inc. and it provides for solar projects throughout not only Canada, but also the United States, Asia, and Europe.  Its main focus is on providing solar-related materials and equipment for commercial, residential, and solar farm markets in Canada.  Unirac mainly provides PV mounting systems.  In the past it focused on solar energy installations.  Such partnerships have moved Ontario ahead to second place in North American solar photovoltaic (PV) rankings.

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Government Investment at Stratford Festival Supports Solar Energy Industry

Sunday, February 6th, 2011

Gary Schellenberger, MP for Perth–Wellington, recently announced that the world-renowned Stratford Shakespeare Festival will receive funding designed to help Ontario’s growing solar energy industry.  Specifically, the Government of Canada funded $246,750 to the Stratford Shakespeare Festival via the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund within the Department of Canadian Heritage.

This federal government funding will go towards paying for both the cost and labour involved with building an innovative solar energy wall at the famous Avon Theatre in Stratford –  another boon to Southern Ontario’s solar energy industry.  In addition, the funding will also pay for the festival theatre’s new heating purchase and installation.

“We know that the installation of energy-efficient equipment will help ensure the company’s continued success and further promote its environmental leadership,” stated James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

Funding Increases Alternative Energy Jobs and Demand for Solar Courses

Besides the obvious direct benefits to the festival, this funding will also increase the number of alternative energy jobs in Ontario.  Consequently, demand for green professionals who have successfully completed solar training courses in the province’s growing alternative energy job field will likely increase well.  However, schools like Ontario Solar Academy are able to train and certify solar PV installers in as little as five days.

About the Stratford Shakespeare Festival

The Stratford Shakespeare Festival offers superior live play performances to both a national and international audience.  Established in 1953, this world renowned festival has grown to become one of North America’s largest classical repertory theatre companies, prompting Moore to comment that his government was “proud to support a quality organization like the Stratford Shakespeare Festival.”

In response to this investment, Antoni Cimolino, General Director of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival stated:

“We appreciate that the Government of Canada has shown interest in these less glamorous aspects of arts support, recognizing that they will allow us to reduce our carbon footprint. We strive to be a leader in the cultural sector and hope that our efforts to green our facilities will inspire other cultural organizations to do the same.”

All in all, the future is looking great for alternative energy jobs and the solar energy industry in Ontario.

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Ontario’s Solar Economy Suffers Temporary Setback

Friday, February 4th, 2011

A renewable energy development deal between Samsung and Six Nations has been called off due to a disclosure related disconnect.  The deal was to involve a partnership between the two parties, geared towards the construction and operation of two renewable energy projects and the continued development of Ontario’s solar economy.  Last year, to outline the deal, Samsung and Six Nations signed a memorandum of understanding.  But according to Six Nations elected band council, Chief Bill Montour, Samsung was “Very closed about the information we needed,” ultimately leading to the deal’s disintegration.

The project was to be a part of Samsung’s $7 billion renewable energy deal with the Ontario government.  This primary deal between Ontario, Samsung, and the Korea Electric Power Corporation, was to be the foundation of the Liberal government’s plan to encourage private sector-backed clean energy projects in the province, while also creating renewable energy careers.  The net objective of this deal with the province was to involve the construction of four clean energy manufacturing plants in Ontario, and the creation of 16,000 new jobs with the assistance of independently available solar training classes regularly positioned throughout Ontario.  Notably, these limited capacity solar training classes are selling out, with Ontario Solar Academy’s recent sold out session in Northern Ontario serving as testament to the overall demand for trained professionals in the province. Currently the Academy is hosting solar training classes in Toronto.

Impact on Solar Economy, Six Nations, and Renewable Energy Careers

The cancelled partnership represents a temporary obstacle to both Samsung and Six Nations.  The renewable energy careers expected as a product of the deal would certainly bolster the aboriginal community’s economy and the province’s solar economy in general.  Comparatively, at the time the primary deal with the Ontario government was signed, it was revealed that Samsung was to receive $437 million in subsidies, beyond those already projected under the feed-in-tariff (FIT) rates received in connection with wind and solar projects.  It is not yet known what Samsung will do next in lieu of the arrangement breaking down.

Had it proceeded, the Six Nations deal was to involve a 260 megawatt joint wind and solar project in Port Maitland and a smaller 10 megawatt solar project at Fifth Line on Six Nations.  Montour lamented the failed deal, stating that “We spent a lot of time trying to understand each other,” and noted that Samsung was “Not comfortable dealing with the public sector’s needs.”  According to Montour, Samsung was basically saying, “Sign this deal and trust us,” which wasn’t an acceptable degree of disclosure.  Montour added, “There are plenty of other North American companies that are just as capable with this and we will be going forward with that.”

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New 36 MW Solar Project in East Hawkesbury Will Create Green Energy, Jobs

Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011

Enfinity Canada (Enfinity) has broken ground on its latest green energy project, a 36 MW solar farm in East Hawkesbury, Ontario.  The installation, called the Stardale project, will create jobs for graduates of the province’s photovoltaic training classes, like those offered at Ontario Solar Academy, the first institution of its kind to receive ISPQ certification.

Enfinity is the Ottawa-based subsidiary of Atlanta, Georgia’s Enfinity America Corporation (Enfinity America).  In addition to doing business in Canada and the US, Enfinity maintains offices in thirteen other countries across Europe and Asia.  The company finances and develops renewable energy projects across the globe and provides “turnkey solar solutions for commercial, municipal, and utility customers.”

According to Chris Young, Managing Director, “Enfinity’s international track record is proving to be very attractive to financing institutions in Ontario.  We believe our approach and experienced team can bring many projects to fruition in a very short period of time.”  Enfinity announced last fall that it expected to complete its East Hawkesbury project by spring of this year.

Ontario Rich with Photovoltaic Energy, Workers, Training Classes

When complete, the Stardale photovoltaic project will be a welcome addition to a thriving green economy that includes hundreds of renewable energy-generating facilities of all sizes, jobs, and solar installation classes.  Ontario’s industry is fuelled by a feed-in tariff (FIT) program that pays high prices, locked into twenty-year contracts, to producers of green energy who tie their systems into the electrical grid.  The FIT’s domestic content provisions keep investment money in the province by requiring owners of participating solar projects to certify that they used at least 60% Ontario-sourced labour and materials in their installations.

Enfinity expects to reveal more plans for solar projects within the next month.  “…we are looking throughout our province and North America to acquire commercial solar projects from 500 kW to 25 MW and above,” says Young.  The company’s ambitious plans follow a global trend toward using cleaner methods of generating power and will further increase demand for domestic content and certified solar workers.

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Ontario Solar Company Takes Domestic Content to Chinese Market

Sunday, January 30th, 2011

Ottawa, Ontario-based Cyrium Technologies, Inc. (Cyrium) has announced that it has contributed its QDEC line of concentrating solar cells to a 200 kW solar project in China.  Ontario is home to a thriving green energy industry that includes the world’s largest photovoltaic installation and Canada’s first ISPQ-certified solar training institution, Ontario Solar Academy.

The Cyrium team began their green careers at National Research Council facilities in Ottawa before moving into its current headquarters in Kanata, a suburb of the capital.  Last year, the company had an opportunity to apply its technology domestically when it contributed content to solar research conducted by the University of Ottawa’s SUNRISE project.

Cyrium has tried for more than a year to break into the Chinese market.  This latest installation is owned and operated by Qingdao HG Solar Energy Co., Ltd. and uses modules and sun-tracking racking systems produced by China’ Suntrix Co., Ltd. (Suntrix).  The high-concentrating photovoltaic (HCPV) power station uses Cyrium’s triple junction concentrating photovoltaic cells, which have helped break new ground in efficiency.  ”The plant is operating with a system efficiency of 25%,” says Suntrix’s CEO, Guy Rong, “which means this station is not only the highest scale of HCPV in production, but also the highest efficiency for photo-electric conversion in China.”

Company’s Home Province a Leader in Green Energy, Green Career Training

The solar industry in Cyrium’s home province has achieved a lot in the little more than a year since Ontario adopted a feed-in tariff (FIT) program that pays owners of solar, wind, and biomass projects to feed green energy into the power grid.  The program drives up demand for green technology, creating career opportunities and new educational streams like solar certification programs.  It also includes domestic content provisions that require participating parties to certify that up to 60% of the labour and materials they use in their projects originate in Ontario.  The purpose of this provision is to ensure that the money and careers the FIT creates benefit the province.

Groundbreaking green technologies like Cyrium’s CPV cells are in high demand in an industry that continually strives for greater levels of efficiency.  Based in a market fuelled by a powerful FIT program, Cyrium is well-placed to become a world leader in solar cell technology.

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