By Kenyon Wallace

Hamilton has embarked on a renewable energy project that will become a source of revenue for the city.

In a move that is sure to be followed closely by other Ontario municipalities, Hamilton has signed an agreement with local company Horizon Energy Solutions Inc. that will allow for the installation of solar photovoltaic panels on the roof of a downtown building.

Horizon will lease the rooftop space from the city and sell its electricity to the province through the Ontario Power Authority and the Feed-in-Tariff program. The project is expected to generate more than a quarter of a million dollars in revenue for the city.

“We approached the city about our plan to do this sort of thing and certainly we’ve had a very strong response,” Scott Knapman, vice president of Horizon, told QP Briefing. “They’ve been very positive at looking at sustainability and renewable-type approaches . . . it seemed to be a good fit for everyone.”

The company will begin construction of the panels atop the building at 330 Wentworth St. N., this year.

“This initiative further demonstrates Hamilton’s commitment to implementing innovative, renewable energy projects while working with local partners to achieve targets set out in the Corporate Energy Policy and Vision 2020,” said Mayor Bob Bratina in a statement.

Knapman said Hamilton has taken a leadership role when it comes to finding ways to produce renewable energy.

Four years ago, the city opened a cogeneration facility to generate electricity from gas emanating from the Glanbrook landfill site. In 2006, Hamilton began using methane gas created during wastewater treatment processes to produce electricity at the Woodward Wastewater Treatment Plant.

“I think you’re going to find more and more adoption all the time” across Ontario cities, Knapman said. “(Renewable energy) is something that solves a lot of environmental issues. It’s not the only solution to our generation needs but it’s an important part of the mix.”

City turns green energy into cash

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