Hall's Pond Solar Co-operative

Ontario's Largest Community Financed Urban Solar Park

"Unlike in Germany, not enough emphasis has been put on smaller, community-based projects that all local citizens can invest in.

The more citizens have a say in projects and can benefit financially from them, the less resistance there will be. By contrast, Ontario's FIT program has been dominated by domestic and foreign developers and big projects. As a result, community buy-in has often been replaced with local pockets of resistance."
- Dr. Harry Lehmann, executive director of Germany' federal environmental protection agency

Guelph Solar is on board!

We are pleased to announce that Guelph Solar Community Co-operative (GSCC) has become an Options for Green Energy affiliated co-operative. GSCC has submitted a FIT application for rooftops at Guelph's Ignatius Centre. Read more about them at www.guelphsolar.ca!

Local Setting

The proposed 7.5 megawatt solar installation will be built on part of a 105 acre property on Gordon Street, owned by the travel health non-profit IAMAT – International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers, a division of the Foundation for the Support of International Medical Training.  Located within Guelph city limits on Urban Reserve Land, it will be the largest urban community financed solar project in Ontario.

IAMAT is partnering on this project with Options for Green Energy, a division of Options for Homes Non-Profit Corporation. Together we have created a renewable energy co-operative called Hall's Pond Solar Co-operative to own and operate the solar park.

Local Participation

Hall's Pond is seeking members to join the co-operative to help build this renewable energy park using a Community Power model.  Members will receive a 5% return on their investment, increasing by 20% every five years.  The minimum investment is $5,000.  The minimum term is 5 years.  Our goal is to raise the financing primarily (and perhaps exclusively) from the citizens of Guelph and surrounding area.

If you would like to become a member, join us at one of our free Information Sessions to learn more.

Local Support

The project has received formal support from Mayor Karen Farbridge and the Guelph Chamber of Commerce. Guelph Hydro has confirmed that connection capacity exists for this project.

Read our letters of support from...

Future Impact

Surpluses from this development will be administered by the Community Wealth Non-Profit, a fund dedicated to the establishment of community financed green energy and social enterprise.

Information Sessions

Starting in June, we will begin hosting regularly scheduled information sessions where you can learn more about the proposed development and have an opportunity to ask any questions you may have.

If you would like to become a member, join us at one of our free Information Sessions to learn more.

What's Community Power?

Community Power renewable energy projects are developed and owned (minimum of 50% or in full) by residents who live in the community where the project is located. Community Power in Ontario is largely inspired by projects in Germany and Denmark.

The Property

For almost 40 years, the Foundation for the Support of International Medical Training has been the steward of the property. The solar park honours the Foundation's Founder, the late Dr. Vincenzo Marcolongo's fondness for the property and his belief in protecting its unique ecological and heritage features.

For More Information:

http://optionsforgreenenergy.ca
http://www.ontario-sea.org
http://www.communityenergyprogram.ca/Resources/ResourcesCommunityPower.aspx
http://www.guelphsolar.ca