WOODSTOCK, ON – Prowind Canada Inc. (“Prowind”), the Oxford Community Energy Co-operative (“OCEC”), and Arntjen Solar North-America Inc. (“Arntjen Solar”) are pleased to announce the commencement of construction on four community-owned solar projects located in the City of Woodstock. The four solar projects are owned by the Oxford Community Solar One LP, which is a Limited Partnership comprised of Oxford Community Renewable Energy Partners Inc., Prowind, OCEC, and Arntjen Solar, and generate electricity under the Independent Electricity Systems Operator’s (“IESO”) Feed-in-Tariff Program.
Construction has begun on the first of the four solar projects which are all located in Woodstock, ON and will have a total installed capacity of 1.2 MW. The projects are expected to generate enough electricity to provide power to approximately 300 homes in the surrounding area. Three of the four projects are located on rooftops while the fourth is ground-mounted.
Construction on the first of the four solar projects began in August 2017, and is scheduled to be completed in September 2017. The final solar project, the only ground-mounted project, is scheduled to be completed in August 2018, with the remaining two rooftop projects scheduled to be completed by late 2017. Commissioning of the projects is expected to occur shortly after the completion of construction, which will allow the projects to begin generating electricity for the surrounding community.
“This is an exciting time in Oxford County,” says Helmut Schneider, President of Prowind. “With the commencement of construction on the Solar One community projects, Oxford County is moving closer to their goal of being 100% powered by renewable energy by 2050, and Prowind is proud to contribute to the achievement of this goal.”
This is the second venture which includes both Prowind and OCEC, the first of which was the 18 MW Gunn’s Hill Wind Farm located in Norwich, ON. The Gunn’s Hill Wind Farm consists of ten Senvion MM92 wind turbines which generate enough electricity to power approximately 6700 homes in the surrounding area. The Gunn’s Hill Wind Farm is owned by the Gunn’s Hill LP, which is a Limited Partnership comprised of GHLP General Partner Inc., Prowind, OCEC, and the Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation.
Prowind builds renewable energy projects with community groups and other local partners in order to promote sustainable growth in rural communities. Prowind is an affiliate of Prowind GmbH based in Osnabrück, Germany. With a total built capacity of over 200 MW of wind, solar and biomass in operation, the Prowind group has established 29 community-sized renewable energy developments across Europe and North America. Prowind Canada continues to develop joint renewable energy projects with local community groups across Canada and the United States.
OCEC has now opened this project to its membership for investment. Members of the Oxford Community Energy Cooperative will have the opportunity to purchase equity in the project and receive a competitive return on their investment. OCEC’s objective is to work in partnerships to bring renewable generation projects to Oxford County and surrounding areas and invite their members to invest and receive healthy returns. This model allows local community members to benefit economically from these projects and participate in the green energy movement that is building infrastructure to sustain future generations. Those interested in investing in the solar projects must be a member of the Oxford Community Energy Cooperative. To join please fill out the membership application online (www.oxford-cec.ca) or contact Miranda Fuller (miranda@oxford-cec.ca) for more information.
About Prowind Canada Inc.: Prowind Canada Inc. is a renewable energy developer and operator with a mandate to develop renewable energy generation across North America. Headquartered in Hamilton, Ontario, Prowind Canada develops, owns, and operates renewable energy developments in conjunction with local communities and indigenous groups to generate community-owned clean energy. Our success continues to grow as we develop our relationship with the agricultural community in order to pursue renewable energy developments in rural communities.
For more information, please visit www.prowind.com
Media Contact Information
Heather Shilton, Manager of Communications
Prowind Canada Inc.
905-528-1747
hshilton@prowind.com
About the Oxford Community Energy Co-operative: The Oxford Community Energy Co-operative Inc. is a renewable energy co-op based in Oxford County with its office located in Woodstock, Ontario. OCEC was developed to bring renewable energy investment opportunities to the residents of Oxford County. The local community currently owns 49% of the Gunn’s Hill Wind Farm project and OCEC has recently opened this solar investment opportunity to its members. OCEC present membership is over 190 and they are striving to bring locally produced energy to the local community.
For more information, please visit www.oxford-cec.ca
Media Contact Information
Miranda Fuller, Executive Director
Oxford Community Energy Co-op
miranda@oxford-cec.ca
Phone: 519-852-8609
About Arntjen Solar North America Inc.: Arntjen Solar North-America and Arntjen Clean Energy Solutions are part of the Arntjen Group Germany which was founded in 1978. Since connecting the first dual-axis tracker in 2008 Arntjen Solar supplied over 5,000 Solar-Trackers and installed multiple large roof top Solar-Systems throughout Ontario. Arntjen Clean Energy Solutions focuses on Clean Energy, ElectroMobilty and Conservation by delivering high-quality energy solutions to help our customers find new and better ways to minimize the dependency on fossil fuels. Arntjen Clean Energy Solutions is committed to building long-term relationships based on integrity, performance, value, and client satisfaction to support the communities we live in. We are proud to be a partner on these community solar projects in Oxford County.
For more information, please visit www.arntjensolar.com/about-arntjen-solar-na/
Media Contact Information
Christine Waterman, Administrative & Marketing Assistant
Arntjen Solar North America Inc.
christine.waterman.na@arntjensolar.com
Phone: 519-913-2346