HomeMy WebLinkAboutFCS-12-083 - Solexica Solar Project - 186 Shoemaker StreetREPORT TO:Committee of the Whole
DATE OF MEETING:
May 14, 2012
SUBMITTED BY: Steve Ross, Assistant City Solicitor, ext 2266
PREPARED BY:
Steve Ross, Assistant City Solicitor, ext 2266
WARD(S) INVOLVED: 6
DATE OF REPORT: May 1, 2012
REPORT NO.:
FCS – 12 -083
SUBJECT:
Solexica Solar Project - 186 Shoemaker Street
RECOMMENDATION:
That Council hereby supports Rooftop Solar PV project FIT-F6SVQB8 located at 186
Shoemaker Street, Kitchener; and
Thatthe Mayor be authorized to indicate Council’s support for Rooftop Solar PV project
FIT-F6SVQB8 in a letter to the proponent, and through any other documentation required,
if necessary, all to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor.
BACKGROUND:
Alain Pinard has received a request from Solexica Solar Development Corporation to obtain
Council’s support for a roof top installation on Shoemaker Street. The application for approval
will be made through the Green Energy Act’s Feed-in Tariff program.
One of the main purposes of the Green Energy Act was to discourage or limit NIMBYism as it
applied to Renewable Energy Projects. On March 22, 2012, the Ontario Government released
its review of the Feed-in Tariff Program Report. A copy of the report can be found at
www.energy.gov.on.ca/docs/en/FIT-Review-Report.pdf. In addition to the well publicized and
expected reduction in rates paid for new solar and wind projects, the review and resulting
amendments sought to increase the importance of municipal support in renewable energy
projects. These changes are viewed largely as a response to the objections of rural residents
and rural councils to large wind and ground mount solar installations.
The Report provides, in a number of ways for greater municipal and community involvement in
renewable energy projects. While all of the mechanics remain to be detailed in the FIT Rules
and/or FIT Contracts, the intent to encourage the development of FIT projects by and together
with local municipalities as well as community and aboriginal groups is apparent in a number of
parts of the Report. Specific changes that reflect municipal considerations include:
prioritizing projects with municipal support by awarding points during the application
review process;
support for municipalities to better integrate renewable energy projects in communities;
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requirements for early contract launch meetings with municipalities and other key
stakeholders for large FIT projects;
changes to the Municipal Consultation Form in the Renewable Energy Approval (REA)
process to better address municipal concerns;
strengthening the protection of prime agricultural lands by prohibiting solar ground-
mount projects (over 10 kW) on lands that contain class 1, 2 and 3 soils without
exception and land with organic and mixed soils;
prohibiting solar ground-mount projects (of any size) in residential areas and lands
bordering residential areas; and
restricting solar ground-mount projects in commercial or industrial areas to installations
where the production of renewable energy is a secondary use.
The Ontario Government has developed a point system whereby positive municipal support is
given more weight to the process. As discussed in a letter from Solexica attached as Appendix
A, the proponent is allowed two (2) additional points toward its application to the Ontario
government.
REPORT:
The location of the proposed roof top solar installation at 186 Shoemaker Street is in a business
park/industrial area. The project will produce 59,860 kWh of energy per year. The proponent
will be investing $175,000. The project is wholly contained on the roof of an existing industrial
building, similar to the KOF, although smaller. Attached at Appendix “B” is a copy of a fact sheet
prepared by the proponent.
Due to the recent changes to the Green Energy Act, Council support for a project can assist in
expediting the processing of the application by the Ontario Power Authority. As this is a
proposal for a roof top solar installation, in an urban commercial or industrial setting, Planning
Staff do not have concerns about negative or even tangible land use impacts associated with
this project.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
This is a private sector green energy project.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
:
Not Applicable.
CONCLUSION
:
Recent changes to Ontario’s Green Energy Act allow for municipal support to be given some
weight in the process used by the Ontario Power Authority in evaluating proposed renewable
energy projects. A positive endorsement from Council may assist in obtaining approval for the
proponent of this roof top solar project.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Jeff Willmer, Deputy CAO
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