Ainsworth installs Canada's largest post-secondary solar system at St.
Lawrence College

Unique system generates revenue, gives students hands-on learning

TORONTO, Oct. 22 /CNW/ - A solar rooftop energy system designed and built by Ainsworth Inc. is being installed at two St. Lawrence College campuses in Kingston and Brockville. Together, they will comprise the largest solar photovoltaic (PV) rooftop installation at any post-secondary institution in Canada. Ainsworth is an OMERS (Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System) business that has provided mechanical and electrical installations and service to the commercial, institutional and industrial sectors for over 75 years.

The installation, which is being announced today at St. Lawrence College in Kingston, totals 350 kW. A 250-kW rooftop system at the college's Kingston campus will involve more than 1,200 solar modules installed on three separate rooftops, which are expected to generate over $200,000 a year in revenue for the college. A second 100-kW rooftop system at the college's Brockville campus, involving 442 solar modules, will be installed on the rooftop of the main building and is expected to generate revenue of $80,000 a year for the college. Solar PV installations turn energy from the sun into electricity.

The total revenue generated of $280,000 a year is through the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) Program. Through this program, the Government of Ontario signs a power purchase agreement with an organization and then pays a designated rate for energy generated by the solar system over the next 20 years.

"Ainsworth is thrilled to be partnering with St. Lawrence College on this exciting project, which we think is the way of the future," said Albert Renaud, President and CEO of Ainsworth Inc. "The OPA, through the FIT Program, has opened the door to making renewable technologies like solar sustainable in Ontario. As an OMERS business, sustainability plays an important role in everything we do."

Yves Lemoine, VP Commercial Installation, Ainsworth Inc., said Ainsworth is a national player committed to renewable energy, and solar in particular. "I want to congratulate St. Lawrence College," Lemoine said. "This system, which involves renewable energy through solar, shows a lot of leadership and we are very proud to be their partner."

In addition to generating $280,000 in revenue per year, benefits for St. Lawrence College include:

• Investing in solar panels provides a steady and sustainable revenue stream back to the College
• Demonstrating a commitment to Ontario's plan to promote green energy
• Providing students with a unique, hands-on opportunity to learn about solar energy

"We are the first college to offer diplomas in Energy Systems Engineering and Wind Turbine Technician," said Chris Whitaker, President and CEO of St. Lawrence College, "and we continue to lead the way by providing our students with a cutting-edge education and hands-on experience with real, operating, renewable energy systems."

The installation combines power generation with interactive student learning. Students enrolled in the college's Energy Systems Engineering program will gather real-time solar data and learn how tilt angles, flat vs. sloped rooftops, different types of inverters and different geographic locations impact the generation of solar power. Such information will help students learn how to optimize the design of solar systems, and give the solar industry valuable information about how different designs affect the performance of solar panels across Eastern Ontario.

About Ainsworth Inc.

Ainsworth Inc. is an OMERS business and a leading supplier of comprehensive technical building services across Canada, from Vancouver to Halifax. It has been providing mechanical and electrical installations and service to the commercial, institutional and industrial sectors for over 75 years. It serves its customers as a single-source partner for installations, and for keeping customer assets safe, effective, and energy-efficient. Ainsworth services include electrical installations, electrical service and maintenance, energy management and renewable energy services, HVAC service and maintenance, IT, and overall plant maintenance. Ainsworth operates in every province under various brands, including Ainsworth, Hallmark, Superior, Caribou, National Refrigeration & Heating, Halifax Heating, and Superior Trade Services Ltd.

For further information:

Mary Ann Freedman
Freedman & Associates for Ainsworth Inc.
Tel: [phone]
Email: [email protected]