Solar panels to be operational next May

Welland will harness the power of the sun with the installation of solar panels at two locations within the city.

The City of Welland and Welland Hydro Energy Services Corp have chosen 950 East Main St. and 108 Thorold Road as the sites for the solar panels. Welland Joint Venture will build the 500- kilowatt solar units beginning in January.

The sites were chosen due to the optimal positioning with the sun. Kevin Carver, electrical distribution engineer for Welland Hydro, said there are no elements blocking the panels and a good amount of energy can be produced at both locations.

Carver said the panels should be fully installed by the end of April. By May the units will begin producing energy and feeding into the grid.

The panels will produce enough power for 190 homes for a year. The green- energy project will also create a revenue of $ 25,000 a month.

The two sites will include more than 1,700 panels, each costing about $ 180.

Carver said the city and Welland Hydro are open to investing in more renewable energy projects if the opportunity arises. But they are going to first see how the solar panels fair once they are operational.

Carter said so far the land has been cleared for installation and staff are waiting for parts to be delivered. mallenberg@ postmedia. com twitter. com/ m_ allenberg