Mapleton council has been considering the installation of a $1-million solar energy project on the roof of the PMD Arena and last week council received an update on the project.
On Jan. 11 Marco Calibani and Scott Vokey said the feasibility study completed by Essex Energy Corporation showed the arena, constructed in 1977, has sufficient reserve load capacity to support a solar panel installation, as does the 2009 addition.
Solar panels are economically feasible when the remaining life of a roof is at least 15 years, and the presence of solar panels can allegedly lengthen the life of a roof.
The Essex Energy study estimated the 1977 roof could support a project able to supply 110 kilowatts of energy, and 170kW with additional panels on the 2009 addition roof.
The consultants conducted a financial analysis, based on 70% of the investment by Essex Energy and 30% by the township.
The larger, 170-kilowatt system, with all the ancillary equipment including DC to AC converters, would cost about $1,000,000.
That would require a $300,000 investment by Mapleton which, if things go according to plan, would be returned in 12 years from the production of electricity. The municipality would sell the electricity to Ontario Hydro.
The panels to be used would each measure roughly 3 feet by 5 feet, with a rating of 225 watts and weighing 44 pounds. The panels and associated hardware would be manufactured in Ontario.
In answer to council questions, the representatives stated the lifecycle of the panels is at least 20 years and they are recyclable. They noted the efficiency of the system drops with time, at a rate of about .75% per year.
Council accepted the information for consideration at a future time.
The consultants reminded council a provincial election is due in the fall of 2011, and current provincial policies regarding electrical generation and the purchase of such power might not be in effect after that vote.
Councillors should, therefore, act soon if they wished to proceed, the consultants said.
