Skip to main content
Start of main content

Providing shelter and power: the City of Cambridge's rooftop solar PV

At a Glance

  • 20

    Kilowatts

Location
Cambridge, Ontario
Offices

City of Cambridge Public Works

As part of a Federal Government Infrastructure Stimulus Fund grant, our engineers provided design services for a new 20 kilowatt solar Photovoltaic (PV) system on the roof of the new outdoor vehicle storage building. Rooftop PV solar panels would be a cost effective approach to help the city reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and promote their corporate sustainability plan.

The construction of the outdoor vehicle storage facility allowed for a large portion of the city's snowplow fleet to park outside under the new shelter. This improved the indoor air quality of the enclosed building where the trucks previously parked. The new electrical load of the plow's heaters is offset by the 20kW solar array incorporated on the roof. The PV system was installed under Ontario Power Authority's (OPA) Feed In Tariff (FIT) program which allows the city to generate revenue on a 20 year power purchase agreement.

OPA FIT contract application process was new to the city and the local distribution company. Application approval requirements and backlog at the OPA created uncertainty about getting the project fully commissioned by the stimulus fund deadlines. Leveraging our internal experience in similar projects, we reacted quickly to assist the city in coordinating with the local utility for the connection impact assessment, metering requirements, and resolving OPA FIT application requirements.

At a Glance

  • 20

    Kilowatts

Location
Cambridge, Ontario
Offices

Meet Our Team

Tom Tisdale, Senior Electrical Technologist

Working with clients to clearly define and determine their requirements—along with ongoing communication—is key to good project management.

Mike Voll, Principal, Sector Lead Smart Technologies

You don’t have to dig deep in the earth to find the energy we need to survive. Blowing wind, flowing rivers and warming sun are easily accessible for those with the passion to harness them.

Tom Tisdale

Senior Electrical Technologist

Mike Voll

Principal, Sector Lead Smart Technologies

We’re better together

  • Become a client

    Partner with us today to change how tomorrow looks. You’re exactly what’s needed to help us make it happen in your community.

  • Design your career

    Work with passionate people who are experts in their field. Our teams love what they do and are driven by how their work makes an impact on the communities they serve.

End of main content
To top