Solar panels light the way for Redeemer University College
ANCASTER, ON - Redeemer University College has a new way of sharing the light of the world: solar panels.
The 131kw photovoltaic (PV) solar power system was part of a $6 million infrastructure project, also including work on classrooms and internal security systems. Running the entire length of the roof of the Academic building, the system is one of the largest in the Hamilton-Niagara region.
"This reflects our commitment to creation care," says Redeemer president Hubert Krygsman. He added helping develop a clean, renewable source of energy will prepare the next generation of creation-tenders for the future.
The school hosted a metaphorical flip of the switch September 12 for two reasons: they wanted local MP David Sweet on hand for the launch - a federal Knowledge Infrastructure Program (KIP) grant covered half the cost of Redeemer's improvements; and wet weather this summer delayed the installation of the final set of panels.
Redeemer is also being helped by the province's Feed-in Tariff program. The school will sell the electricity it generates back to the local power authority for about 84 cents/kilowatt hour while paying about 26 cents/kwh for any electricity it uses. Tim Wolfert, Redeemer's director of Communications, says the income won't totally cover Redeemer's costs.
With additional trusses in place to handle the weight of the panels, the last set should be installed within a month, says Wolfert. And drier weather will allow the crane, needed to lift the panels in place, to operate without harming the university commons lawn.
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