Kingston - The Honourable Peter Milliken, Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands, and Dr. James McCowan, Associate Dean, Integrated Learning Centre at Queen’s University, turned on the switch today to a new energy system that will provide solar power to the university.

“I would like to congratulate Queen’s university for leading by example,” said Mr. Milliken. “This project shows how we all can play a part in reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to cleaner air - while demonstrating to its students, and all Canadians, the importance of technologies like solar power in finding solutions to climate change.”

Located at Queen’s University’s Integrated Learning Centre, this system is a 20 kilowatt Photovoltaic Array. Photovoltaic modules, commonly known as solar panels, are a promising renewable energy technology that convert light into electricity. This project, now fully operational, will help promote building-integrated photovoltaic systems, provide power to the grid and allow students and researchers to study this important renewable energy source.

“Our work with the Government of Canada on this project shows that by pooling our efforts we can make significant strides in addressing climate change,” said XXXX, Queen’s University. “It further establishes the University as a leading institution and is key to attracting forward thinking students and researchers.”

The Photovoltaic and Hybrid Systems Program at CETC-Varennes managed the project and provided technical expertise. The Technology Early Action Measures (TEAM) component of the Government of Canada’s Climate Change Action Fund provided $275,000 to the project. This contribution was matched by Queen’s University. TEAM supports investments in technology projects to reduce emissions while sustaining economic and social development.

The project is also a result of collaboration with the following partners: ATS Automation Tooling Systems, Arise Technologies, Ontario Power Generation, Solar Design Associates, and Halsall and Associates.

This initiative builds on the Government of Canada's commitment to ensuring the quality of life in our communities, a healthy environment and continued economic prosperity - for the Canada we want, for ourselves, and for future generations. Funding for this project is built into the existing fiscal framework.

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For more information, media may contact: 

Alexandra Muir                                   Ghyslain Charron

Director of Communications                Media Relations

Office of the Minister                          Natural Resources Canada

Natural Resources Canada                  Ottawa

Ottawa                                               (613) 992-4447

(613) 947-8246                                

For more information on the Government of Canada’s action on climate change, please visit www.climatechange.gc.ca.  

To learn more about the Integrated Learnoing Centre and its photovoltaic array, please visit http://ilcqueensu.ca.