Hundreds of homes in Kitchener could one day be powered by rooftop solar panels.
Kitchener Council was encouraged this week by a couple of proposals to install panels on six buildings across the city.
Each project would produce enough energy to power between 530 and 730 homes, or charge electric vehicles for millions of kilometres.
The amount of power produced relies on a number of factors, including weather, sunlight, and how efficiently the system is designed and maintained.
The six locations include 1460 Strasburg Rd., 500 and 550 Trillium Dr., 250 Trillium Dr., 60 Steckle Pl. and 355 Shirley Ave.
The proposals are being sent to Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator, which comes from Moose Power on behalf of Dream Industrial Canada Solar Inc.
The requests needed municipal support before the province awards projects next year, with hopes of being operational by 2030.
It was an easy decision for city councillors, who unanimously supported the requests.
“Rooftop projects maximize unused roof space, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and provide long-term cost savings on electricity while supporting sustainability goals,” read a city staff report.
That same report notes the project is, “in alignment with the City’s climate goals, land use planning policies and economic development objectives and do not pose any undue impacts on the surrounding community.”
