Mayor Marc Coombs attended a news event at the Keeler Centre in Cramahe to recognize the important work CPN is doing for the community. In a press release (see below) Mayor Coombs commented that “this has been a longstanding desire…and it is certainly great to see them finally installed.” Keeler Centre is the fourth major solar project that CPN has built.
PRESS RELEASE:
Solar Panels on Keeler Centre
Colborne, ON – August 1st, 2017
Construction has begun on a new rooftop solar installation at the Keeler Centre in Colborne. On a sunny day, nine hundred and fifty two solar panels will produce enough electricity to power the equivalent of 40 homes — a total of 250 kilowatts of clean energy. Colborne now joins Hamilton Township (Baltimore) and Cobourg in having a major solar installation on at least one of their municipal buildings.
Colborne leases the Keeler Centre’s roof to Community Power Northumberland, a local volunteer renewable energy co-operative who is building and funding the project. Proceeds from sales of electricity are used by the cooperative to invest in sustainable initiatives throughout the county — from community gardens to cycling to working with charitable organizations.
“This is a win/win scenario,” Tony Walker, president of the cooperative, says. “Colborne receives 20 years of rental income while the cooperative directs surpluses to renewable energy projects and sustainability initiatives.” Construction at the Keeler Centre should be completed by the end of August and certified by the province’s Independent Electricity System Operator sometime in September.
“Having solar panels on the roof of the Keeler Centre has been a longstanding desire of multiple Councils and it is certainly great to see them finally being installed” states Mayor Marc Coombs. He adds “what attracted us to CPN was their community involvement and that the funds they raise go directly back into the Northumberland community.”
For more information:
Cramahe Township: Craig Brooks, CAO
Phone: 905-355-2821, ext. 224
Email: cbrooks@cramahetownship.ca
Community Power Northumberland: Tony Walker
Phone: 905-396-7677
Email: tony@communitypowernorthumberland.ca