Ontario Construction News staff writer
Windsor is spending $2.4 million to convert 12 city-owned buildings to renewable energy consumption.
“Creating a healthy community fit for the next generation means that we need to look at all of our facilities to find energy and environmental efficiencies,” Mayor Drew Dilkens said in a news release.
“Through our Environmental Master Plan and Community Energy Plan, we’re delivering results to enhance our economic advantage, improve our energy performance, and mitigate the climate crisis.”
Council approved Windsor’s Community Energy Plan in 2017, which recommends 16 strategies and 29 actions to be taken by the city to reduce energy use and mitigate climate change.
As a result, 12 city facilities have been identified for installation of new solar photovoltaic (PV) systems after assessment and design approvals including new net metering infrastructure to help offset the consumption of power currently taken from the electricity grid.
The following facilities will be renovated:
- Optimist Community Centre and Library
- Forest Glade Community Centre and Library
- Constable John Atkinson Memorial Community Centre
- Fire Hall #2
- Fire Hall #5
- Fire Hall #6 and Emergency Operations Centre
- Fire Hall #7
- Fire Apparatus Building
- Parks & Recreation Facilities Storage
- Parks & Recreation Maintenance Yard
- South Windsor Library
- Fontainebleau Library
The city is estimating 1.1 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) savings per year and over $220,000 in electricity costs through the installation of new solar panels and net metering systems.