Sarnia, ON, December 7, 2009 – Bluewater Power Generation Corporation announced that it will establish a solar photovoltaic (PV) test facility at its corporate headquarters in Sarnia. The objectives of the facility are to evaluate and compare the performance of different types of solar power systems over the different seasons, in order to optimize future system design for local climate factors.
As a first step, Bluewater Power Generation Corporation plans to install five different 10 kilowatt (kW) systems on the rooftop of its headquarters at 855 Confederation Street. Each system will have a unique mounting structure, with some mounted closer to the roof and some raised above it. At least one system will utilize a tracker, following the sun as it moves across the sky. Each system will be connected to its own DC-AC power inverter, and each will be monitored separately in real time.
“With the launch of the Ontario Government’s new Feed-In Tariff for renewable energy, we believe an excellent opportunity exists to develop rooftop solar power installations across our service area,” said Bluewater Power Generation Corporation’s Chief Operating Officer Tim Vanderheide. “We are especially interested in learning which systems will perform best in different types of weather.”
To help design and coordinate the installation, Bluewater Power Generation Corporation has partnered with CarbonFree Technology, an Ontario-based solar power project developer with significant project experience. Working together, the two companies will select systems from up to five different equipment suppliers and arrange for their installation, monitoring and ongoing maintenance. Detailed wind and snow studies for the systems are also expected to be required, to understand their impact on roof loading.
“This project represents one of the first opportunities in North America to evaluate real-time system performance in a snowy climate,” said David
Oxtoby, CEO of CarbonFree Technology. “It will also provide valuable insight into the relative merit of different system architectures.”
Bluewater Power Generation Corporation and CarbonFree Technology intend to use commercially available equipment, with a preference given to Ontario-based suppliers capable of meeting the domestic content requirements of the Feed-In Tariff (FIT). Much of the actual installation work will be performed by Bluewater Power Generation Corporation in order to gain direct experience with rooftop solar systems. It is expected that the systems will qualify for the FIT program and will be operated for at least 20 years.
About Bluewater Power Generation Corporation
Bluewater Power Generation Corporation was established in 2007 with the mandate to promote, develop and maintain renewable generation projects. Bluewater Power Generation Corporation currently owns and operates a 1.6 MW landfill gas to energy project and has interests in several other renewable energy projects. Bluewater Power Generation Corporation is an affiliate of Bluewater Power Distribution Corporation.
About CarbonFree Technology
CarbonFree Technology is a leading North American solar project developer, based in Toronto. CarbonFree Technology works with energy users to specify, finance and develop solar power systems that leverage the most up-to-date, reliable solar technologies available. In Ontario, CarbonFree Technology offers commercial, industrial and institutional building owners the option of receiving lease income for their rooftops by hosting solar power systems.
For More Information Contact
Tim Vanderheide, COO
Bluewater Power Generation Corporation
Tel (519) 337-8201 #280
Fax (519) 332-3878
www.bluewaterpower.com
tvanderheide@bluewaterpower.com
CarbonFree Technology
Tel (416) 975-8800
Fax (416) 975-8900
www.carbonfreetechnology.com
info@carbonfreetechnology.com