Municipal Council Support Resolution. Information Package

Transcription

1 Sudbury Community Solar Projects LP Municipal Council Support Resolution Information Package Prepared for the City of Greater Sudbury

2 Executive Summary SUN Co-operative has partnered with Soventix, a local solar PV developer, to develop four small feed-in-tariff (FIT) (less than 500 kw) solar projects with local landowners in the Sudbury area and is preparing submissions for the upcoming FIT application window. The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) will procure renewable electricity from small FIT projects through a FIT 4 application window scheduled to open in early July. Applications for FIT contracts will be awarded by the IESO based on a number of criteria, with demonstration of municipal support providing an advantage to applicants in the process. A 500 kw ground mount system requires approximately 5 acres of land, generates approximately 840,000 kwh per year and is not permitted to be sited on prime agricultural lands. Additional requirements include a visual buffer where sight lines exist and setback requirements as set out by the Ministry of Energy. Any projects awarded contracts are required to comply with various municipal approvals such as site alteration, tree removal, signage and access permits. Soventix is proposing that the City of Greater Sudbury provide a Municipal Council Support Resolution for the projects detailed in this document. Soventix kindly requests that resolutions be provided in the form prescribed by the IESO, found in Appendix B. The sole purpose of the resolution is to facilitate applications made for local renewable energy projects to the FIT 4 process. About Soventix and Sudbury Community Solar Projects LP Soventix Canada Inc. is a turnkey project provider and has been active within the Ontario market since the start of the FIT program. The company has established a track record of success in within its niche, providing investment-grade projects to community co-operatives located within their respective project areas. The goals of the co-operatives Soventix partners with are to foster clean sources of local power while creating local employment and community involvement. Currently, Soventix has approximately 10 MW of ground-mounted and rooftop solar projects either completed or under construction, with an additional development pipeline of exceeding 30 MW.

3 The projects being applied for in Sudbury will be done through Sudbury Community Solar Projects LP. This entity is owned entirely by Soventix and is designed to facilitate investment from renewable energy co-operatives. Community Benefits For any projects that receive generation contracts, the benefits to the community are plentiful. Each project represents a total investment of over $2.5M, with approximately 40% of the costs consisting of local labour and supply. Soventix finds it extremely advantageous to partner with local contractors as a thorough understanding of local ground conditions is crucial to successful construction. In addition to this, there is provision for community ownership in the project, allowing for revenue generated by the project to be shared by local landowners in Lambton County. Overview of Project Siting Requirements and Approvals Process The following regulatory bodies provide oversight throughout the application and approvals process. Ontario Ministry of Energy Independent Electricity System Operator Ontario Ministry of Environment Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Local Conservation Authorities Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Electrical Safety Authority Local Distribution Company Land Use Requirements Ground mounted solar facilities are subject to several land use restrictions under the FIT program, including the following: A project cannot be located on a Specialty Crop Area A project cannot be located on Canada Land Inventory Class 1, 2, 3 or Organic Lands.

4 A project cannot be located on a residential property unless it is an Exempt Residential Property. A project cannot be located on lands abutting a residential property unless that property is an Exempt Residential Property. An Exempt Residential Property is defined as a Residential Property in respect of which a Lawfully Permitted Use is agriculture and residential uses are permitted as ancillary to such agricultural use. Setback and Screening Requirements Ground mount solar PV projects awarded a contract are mandated to comply with Provincial requirements for setbacks and screening. Currently, these include a 20-metre setback from all property lines, 100-metre setback from residential clusters, and visual screening where any sight lines may exist. The visual buffer is composed of a mixture of native deciduous and coniferous trees to be at a height of 3 metres following commercial operation. Ongoing maintenance of the visual screen over the lifetime of the system is mandated by the FIT contract. Municipal Permit Requirements For any project awarded a contract under FIT 4, the following municipal permits could apply: Site alteration permits Tree removal permits Site access permits Signage permits Environmental Approvals All projects that receive contracts are required to undergo an environmental approvals process in which the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ministry of Tourism Sport and Culture as well as any local Conservation Authorities are consulted with. At a high level, the process ensures projects meet requirements pertaining to natural heritage sites, noise setbacks and water setbacks. It also ensures the protection of any Provincially Significant features.

5 Project Details Project details are attached in Appendix A. Next Steps Soventix and SUN Co-operative kindly request that, if the City of Greater Sudbury chooses to provide support for these projects, that they do so in the Prescribed Form attached. We believe this is an exciting opportunity for the City of Greater Sudbury to showcase clean, sustainable energy project within its jurisdiction, bringing together the Township, other regulatory authorities, and local stakeholders. We appreciate the opportunity to work closely with Sudbury and help increase the region s renewable energy profile. We welcome any questions the City of Greater Sudbury may have and are happy to meet and discuss further.

6 Appendix A Project Details

7 SU1 Project Details Access from Montpellier Rd. Project Name SU1 Project Size 500 kw, 5 acres. Project Address 4344 Montpellier Rd. Legal Description PT LOT 3 CON 5 BALFOUR EXCEPT PT 1 53R8463, PTS 1 TO 5 53R18214, SRO PT 1 53R3737 AND PTS 1 & 2 53R18594, MRO PT 1 53R3737 AS IN SD & PTS 1 TO 5 53R19129, PT 2 53R19155 Lot Size (acres) 279

8 SU2 Project Details Access from Bodson Drive W. Project Name SU2 Project Size 500 kw, 5 acres. Project Address 595 Dominion Dr, Hanmer, Sudbury, P3P 0A6 Legal Description PCL SEC SES; E1/2 OF E1/2 LT 3 CON 1 HANMER SRO EXCEPT PT 1 53R14392; S/T LT127733, LT Lot Size (acres) 74

9 SU3 Project Details Project Name SU3 Project Size 500 kw, 5 acres Project Address 479 Main Street, Val Caron, P3N 1R4 Legal Description PCL 5476 SEC SES SRO; W 1/2 OF W 1/2 LT 2 CON 5 BLEZARD EXCEPT PT 1 53R8372; S/T LT116772, LT220646; Lot Size (acres) 61

10 SU4 Project Details Project Name SU4 Project Size 500 kw, 5 acres. Project Address 3065 Gladu Rd., Sudbury, P3E 4N1 Legal Description PCL SEC SES; PT LT 7 CON 5 DILL; PT LT 8 CON 5 DILL AS IN EP8117 EXCEPT LT190433, LT203535, LT218424, PT 1 SR1070, PT 1 53R8306 & PT 1 53R10075; Lot Size (acres) 86