Axio Power

Why the move to solar power in Ontario?
What will the solar project look like? How big are these projects and how many panels will there be in each project?
How does a solar project affect the land and surrounding residents?
Why has Axio Power Canada Inc., selected this site location?
Will the solar array visually impact my property or that of my neighbours?
Are there any reflectivity issues?
Are there any noise impacts?
Will this solar farm have an impact on property values in the area?
How does a solar farm generate electricity?
What are the benefits and challenges of solar electricity?
If there are trees on the site are you going to clear them?
Does rain running off the lower edge of the panels erode the soil?
How do you control weeds between the rows and under the panels?
Can crops be grown or can animals graze between the panels?
Why isn’t the Government building these projects? Why are companies like Axio Power Canada Inc., developing them?
Should we expect to see solar farms all over our countryside?
What will happen when the contract expires in 20 years?

Why the move to solar power in Ontario?

Regulatory Background

Solar technology has gradually become less expensive and more technologically advanced over its 50-year lifespan. At the same time, the price of conventional power generation such as coal, gas, hydro, and nuclear has become more expensive. In addition, legislative and regulatory initiatives to eliminate approximately 6,000 MW of coal fired generation to reduce greenhouse gases and have promoted the uptake of cleaner forms of energy. These initiatives are also intended to encourage economic development in Ontario through 60% domestic content requirements for solar energy facilities.

The Government of Ontario passed the Green Energy and Economy Act into law on May 14, 2009. The purpose of the act is to make Ontario a global leader in clean, renewable energy and conservation and to create thousands of jobs, economic prosperity, energy security and climate protection. The Act directed the Ontario Power Authority (http://powerauthority.on.ca) to establish a Feed-in Tariff Program (http://fit.powerauthority.on.ca) for the purchase of electricity generated from renewable sources. The detailed regulations, effective October 1, 2009, offered citizens, organizations, community groups and corporation’s 20-year contracts at reasonable power rates, or “tariffs”, and what is promised to be a streamlined and thorough, approval process. This electricity could be generated from solar photovoltaic panels, biogas, biomass, landfill gas, on-shore and off-shore wind, or waterpower, each with a different feed-in tariff program designed to cover the costs of the technology involved. The tariffs fall roughly into two sub-programs: FiT (for large-scale developers with installations of over 10kW) and microFiT (for residential and small business installations below 10kW).

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What will the solar project look like? How big are these projects and how many panels will there be in each project?

Solar Farm Characteristics

The solar farms proposed by Axio Power will consist of rows of Photovoltaic (PV) modules mounted on a steel or aluminum frame. The array will be arranged in a fixed-tilt configuration; wherein the rows of solar panels are permanently fixed at approximately 35 degrees tilt facing south, in order to receive the maximum available solar energy. This configuration is simplistic and cost effective as it contains no moving parts to wear out and generates no noise. A 10 Megawatt (MW AC) project will use about 53,000 individual 230 Watt (W) solar panels. Each panel is constructed using 60 poly-crystalline solar cells. These panels have a life span of 30-40 years, carry a 25 year warranty and will be recycled at the end of their lifespan.

The array is comprised of rows of modules with a height of approximately 10 feet (3 metres) along the back of the row. Hedges, trees and other vegetative buffers can be planted along the perimeter of the property to reduce visibility of the array to neighbours in the area. These measures, coupled with the fact that the system has no moving parts, makes PV systems a relatively unobtrusive form of power generation.

In addition to each row of PV modules, inverters placed throughout the array convert electricity from Direct Current (DC) to Alternating Current (AC). Small pad mount transformers are placed amidst the arrays to collect the electricity generated. From there, the power is fed into the distribution system for consumption in the local community and beyond.

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How does a solar project affect the land and surrounding residents?

Operation of a Solar Farm

The Renewable Energy Approvals (REA) process for utility scale solar projects, such as those proposed by Axio Power is administered by the Ministry of Environment. The REA process is thorough and requires full community and municipal engagement. Prior to construction, several studies and reports are required for the proposed site, including and not limited to, land use studies, biology, ecology, geology, storm water management, and topography, which ensure environmental impacts are limited and mitigated. Other social, environmental and economic issues presented by the development of solar projects will be considered, assessed and addressed to the fullest extent possible.

Public consultations are required to be conducted within each community early in the project design stage, and again after comments have been incorporated into project design and site studies have been conducted and made available. All studies conducted will be made available ont the www.axiopower.ca website. These studies are also submitted to the local jurisdictions and Ministry of Environment directly.

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Why has Axio Power Canada Inc., selected this site location?

Site Selection

One of the most important things to consider in terms of siting a solar PV project is locating the project close enough to hydro lines with enough capacity to accommodate the solar electricity generated. Once a connection point is established, we must also search for land that will accommodate the size of the solar installation. Essentially the choice of site comes down to the property owner’s interest in offering their land for use, where capacity is located on the hydro line, as well as a variety of environmental constraints.

In addition, sites on marginal lands and in remote areas are preferred. In addition to minimizing impacts, these lands are typically less expensive and more cost efficective to purchase.

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Will the solar array visually impact my property or that of my neighbours?

Visual Impact

While solar PV arrays have a sizeable horizontal footprint, their maximum height is typically up to 10 feet (3 metres). The visual impact of solar PV arrays is minimal. Native species of hedge rows and trees can also be planted along boundaries of the solar farm to mitigate visual impacts to area neighbours and support the local biodiversity in the community.

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Are there any reflectivity issues?

Reflectivity

Solar PV modules are specifically engineered to absorb light, rather than reflect it, as reflected light results in the loss of energy output. Modules are dark in colour and have coatings that enable the panel to absorb as much of the available light as possible, which directly increases energy production. In fact, solar PV arrays have been approved and constructed on the grounds of airport facilities, which are exceptionally sensitive to reflectivity. The American Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved these projects in the area of airports, which has validated that module reflectivity can be mitigated with appropriate siting.

Are there any noise impacts?
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Noise

As the arrays have no moving parts, noise from solar PV arrays themselves are non-existent. The proposed solar PV array will be “fixed-tilt”, so the only sound from the system will come from the electrical transformers and inverters which deliver the electricity. This equipment produces a low level “humming sound”. The small pad mount transformers and inverters in the field will not emit significant amounts of noise, and at night, when there is no power being generated, the sound is minimal.

The largest point source of sound will be from the project’s substation, which connects the solar farm to the grid. The substation will be located so that it meets all regulatory requirements and complies with the MOE’s noise guidelines. The substation is similar in impact to the local residential substation located in your community. Axio will be required to design the site layout so that the impact on anyone living nearby is no greater than 40 dB (represents the sound or pressure level you would expect in a library) after 7:00 pm, in a rural Class 3 environment (http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/publications/4709e.pdf). Furthermore, if required, noise can be attenuated using a variety of mitigation techniques (e.g. planting shrubs to absorb sound, erecting a wooden fence, or enclosing equipment in a small building).

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Will this solar farm have an impact on property values in the area?

Property Values

We do not anticipate that having a solar PV project next to your property or that of your neighbours will impact property values. Experience with wind energy projects in Canada and the United States, which are larger and more visible, shows no impact.
Axio Power is highly committed to engaging the local community early in the planning process to openly explore potential concerns and address any perceived issues around construction and operation of a project. As a solar farm has a lifespan in excess of 20 years, we feel it is a priority to be responsive to the community’s input.

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How does a solar farm generate electricity?

Solar Power 101

Solar cells, either poly silicon or “thin-film” are semiconductors, which convert light (photons, hence “photo”) into electricity. Cells similar to those in garden path solar lights are wired into panels and the panels are connected together. When all of the panels are connected the direct current electricity created is converted to alternating current and collected by medium voltage (less than 600 volts DC) underground wires which bring the electricity back to connect to the hydro lines, where it can be stepped down to a voltage used by a home.

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What are the benefits and challenges of solar electricity?

Benefits of Solar Energy

Solar electricity is renewable and virtually inexhaustible. There is as much solar energy hitting the earth in one hour as the energy we use on earth in one year. It is clean, emits no greenhouse gases, can displace fossil fuel generation and generated at peak times, when it is needed most.

For each 10 MW project that Axio Power develops, significant benefits will be derived locally during construction, which typically extends over 5 to 6 months. Materials, supplies, and labour will be sourced locally where possible (i.e. mechanical, electrical, and civil contractors). At peak construction periods there can be hundreds of workers and skilled trades on-site.

During the operations and maintenance phase of the project which typically extends 25 years, 1 to 2 operations & maintenance (O&M) roles will be created. In addition, these projects generate additional municipal tax revenue for the region and contribute to Ontario’s Renewable Energy Targets while creating a stable, fixed price energy source for 20 years. Innovative Feed-in-Tariff projects such as these, which have captured worldwide interest, have the added benefit of potentially increasing local tourism revenue within the community.

Challenges of Solar Energy

Solar power generation is intermittent and must be supplemented by alternate power generation sources when the sun is not shining and on cloudy days.

While solar energy is relatively expensive compared to the average price of electricity, it is more plentiful during peak sunlight hours and hot days when electricity is needed most and is most expensive. A more reasonable comparison of solar generated electricity versus conventional is to compare solar prices at peak usage versus average or “off-peak” usage pricing.

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If there are trees on the site are you going to clear them?

Land Vegetation

Our preference is not to cut down trees, and where relevant, tree or vegetative clearing will be kept to a minimum. We will work with The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) and local Conservation Authorities to ensure that our developments are constructed in a responsible and compliant manner.

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Does rain running off the lower edge of the panels erode the soil?

Rain Water Impact

Rain water does not usually have an impact on soil erosion in solar projects. Axio Power Canada Inc., is commissioning a storm water management and drainage management plan to ensure this will not be an issue.

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How do you control weeds between the rows and under the panels?

Vegetation Growth

We will ensure that the vegetation we plant is a slow growing, thick, and healthy ground cover which could be maintained simply by mowing.

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Can a farmer grow crops between the panels or have their farm animals graze?

Natural Land Maintenance

There is a concern that any equipment needed to plant, grow and harvest crops could damage the panels. Trying to maintain crops manually would not be viable. Grazing animals such as sheep and goats have been trialled in solar farms in Europe, but care must be taken as they try to eat cabling. If a solution is found we would be willing to consider it.

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Why isn’t the Government building these projects? Why are companies like Axio Power Canada Inc., developing them?

Government vs. Private Company Projects

With a program like the Feed-In Tariff where the OPA offers a predetermined fixed rate to generators for power generated, it is up to private sector companies like Axio Power to develop projects cost effectively and assume all the risk in investment and project development. If the project goes over budget it would be the project developer who potentially loses money, with no risk to the utility or electricity ratepayer.

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Should we expect to see solar farms all over our countryside?

Limited Grid Capacity and Land Classification Restrictions

There is extremely limited capacity on the existing hydro lines (“the distribution grid”), which limits the number of 10 MW projects (typically 2 or 3 along a 25 KM stretch), and thereby limiting the number of projects which can be built in any given area.

In addition, in order to limit the use of agricultural lands for solar development, the Ontario government has prohibited solar farms greater than 100 kW on class 1 and 2 soils, as defined by the Canadian Land Inventory (CLI) (http://geogratis.cgdi.gc.ca/CLI/frames.html) system. There is a limit in the province across various regions, on how much solar PV can be constructed on class 3 soils, as described in The Regional Administrative Boundary Allocations (RABA).

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What will happen when the contract expires in 20 years?

After OPA 20 Year Contract

We would hope that a new contract could be negotiated and we could keep generating energy, or perhaps we will sell electricity back to the “spot market”. Technology will have changed over the course of 20 years, so perhaps the site will be retrofitted or “repowered” with more cutting edge solar modules. However, as part of the REA Environmental Approval we will prepare a decommissioning plan, where we will describe how the equipment can be removed and recycled and the site fully rehabilitated.