Brockton council has given initial approval for up to eight solar panels to be installed in East Ridge Business Park.
Local realtor Paul Kueneman was given permission to split four lots in half to allow for the eight panels which will be installed this summer by his newly formed company, Solar Flash Power Corporation, which he formed with his brother-in-law Charles Cleland.
“We saw this as an opportunity,” he told media after receiving a minor variance approval.
Kueneman said that with a locked in price of .80 per kilowatt, guaranteed by the province for 20 years, it’s a good time to get into the microfit solar business – one of the fastest growing industries in the province. He noted the project has a 14 per cent return on investment. “Not too many businesses give a 14 per cent return,” Kueneman said, adding he hopes the eight panels will just be a start of a growing investment. Microfit solar energy companies harvest the energy and sell back to the province.
The issue of Brockton getting into the solar business was discussed for a third time at council Monday night.
As word has spread through the media of Brockton’s interest in solar power, municipal staff have been contacted by a number of solar energy equipment suppliers who are hoping to do business with the Brockton.
CAO?Richard Radford told council that they had different options available such as taking on the project on its own, entering into contracts with private businesses, or creating a co-op situation allowing local residents to invest as well.
“Instead of doing one or two we could do five,” Radford said, noting more capital would be available.
Radford received a letter from a consulting firm offering its services, but the suggestion that the municipality set aside $450,000 for the project unnerved some members.
Coun. David Inglis said questioned if Brockton could justify getting into the solar industry. “Is Brockton large enough,” he asked and noted that the 14 per cent projected return “might not be enough” to sustain the program with ongoing maintenance fees.
“We have to look at all the angles to make sure it’s good for us,” Inglis said.
Coun. Dan Gieruszak agreed and worried about possible liability issues if a co-op was formed and citizens lost money.
Inglis also questioned the need to hire a consultant.
“Why would we need one” You buy a solar panel and stick it in the ground,” he said.
However, Radford replied that staff did not have the expertise required to move ahead on the issue.
Brockton has also been contacted by Historic Saugeen Metis which is interested in creating a partnership with the municipality.
“As part of the rollout of Ontario’s Green Energy Act, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure has announced three programs to help Aboriginal groups participate in the renewable energy boom,” an introductory letter explained.
“These initiatives should provide greater access to capital markets, help reduce the interest rates on loans, for eligible borrowers, and fund many of the plans and studies needed to push projects forward.”
Brockton councillors seemed intrigued with the concept, but express a need to move ahead slowly.
Coun. Chris Peabody echoed other comments about the concept was worth exploring, and also cautioned moving too quickly.
“We should keep the door open but go slowly with this,” he said.
Mayor Charlie Bagnato said it was something worth pursuing. “It’s not a slam dunk, that’s for sure, and we have to do due diligence whenever we’re spending taxpayers’ dollars, but this is worth exploring further.”
Radford was directed to set up a meeting with the Historic Saugeen Metis to discuss a partnership.