Solar panels are coming soon
Green energy is something the
City of London is jumping on, and
unlike other green projects, the
City is not dragging their feet on
this one.
The Municipality of London is in the middle of a bidding process that will see solar companies putting their panels on municipal property, making things a little greener here in the Forest City.
That green will also show up somewhere else: in the City of London's wallet. Joe Swan, Chair of the Investment and Economic Prosperity Committee, said the $300,000 in leasing fees will be in the City's wallet if the project is successful. "The contribution back to the grid are significant; create jobs, provide more energy and pay contributions of taxes to the city."
Only two companies are in the bidding process: London German Solar Corporation and Ameresco. The winner will be announced early in the new year.
The process passed the first hurdle — waiting for the provincial government to authorize the City of London to put the panels on top of municipal buildings — in September 2012.
It was motioned in October by the Investment and Economic Prosperity Committee to make the amendment to take out the word "buildings" and replace it with the word "property" to expand the City's options on where they can put these solar panels. It was welcomed by those committee members.
Bud Polhill, London City Councillor for Ward One, said it's a great project. "There is a lot of money to be made and a lot of savings to be had." He said it's all about the green energy and even that goes into the City's pocket. "Even if we made a nickel of the solar panels and we saved generating other energy, we are still ahead of the game."
Polhill said he thinks just about everyone should think about getting solar panels — he's even considering it for his auto shop. "I have a couple of customers who actually do this kind of stuff for a living, and we're just discussing (things) like roof structure. It's up in the air right now, but I'm considering it."
The City of London seems optimistic about starting one or two pilot projects in the community in the early months of 2013.
The Municipality of London is in the middle of a bidding process that will see solar companies putting their panels on municipal property, making things a little greener here in the Forest City.
That green will also show up somewhere else: in the City of London's wallet. Joe Swan, Chair of the Investment and Economic Prosperity Committee, said the $300,000 in leasing fees will be in the City's wallet if the project is successful. "The contribution back to the grid are significant; create jobs, provide more energy and pay contributions of taxes to the city."
Only two companies are in the bidding process: London German Solar Corporation and Ameresco. The winner will be announced early in the new year.
The process passed the first hurdle — waiting for the provincial government to authorize the City of London to put the panels on top of municipal buildings — in September 2012.
It was motioned in October by the Investment and Economic Prosperity Committee to make the amendment to take out the word "buildings" and replace it with the word "property" to expand the City's options on where they can put these solar panels. It was welcomed by those committee members.
Bud Polhill, London City Councillor for Ward One, said it's a great project. "There is a lot of money to be made and a lot of savings to be had." He said it's all about the green energy and even that goes into the City's pocket. "Even if we made a nickel of the solar panels and we saved generating other energy, we are still ahead of the game."
Polhill said he thinks just about everyone should think about getting solar panels — he's even considering it for his auto shop. "I have a couple of customers who actually do this kind of stuff for a living, and we're just discussing (things) like roof structure. It's up in the air right now, but I'm considering it."
The City of London seems optimistic about starting one or two pilot projects in the community in the early months of 2013.
