-Canadian
Solar Inc.’s Guelph facility will bring up to 500 jobs to Guelph, and
the first phase of operations is expected to begin later this year. At
full capacity the facility’s total output will generate solar-based
power that exceeds the entire current electrical demand of the Guelph
community. The Guelph facility will be Canadian Solar Inc.’s first
outside of China.
City
and Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure officials, along with
Canadian Solar executives, are attributing the location choice in large
part to Guelph's Community Energy Initiative—Guelph's ambitious and
internationally recognized plan to use less energy in 25 years than it
does today, consume less energy per capita than comparable Canadian
cities, and produce less greenhouse gas per capita than the current
global average.
Businesses
have traditionally been drawn to Guelph for its highly educated work
force, established economic base and high quality of life. The Community
Energy Initiative is another powerful draw for companies in the
environmental technologies sector. Indeed, it’s part of what’s drawn
Canadian Solar Inc.
“We
chose Ontario and Guelph because of the province’s and city’s strong
research and development, and the local and provincial governments’
commitment to investing in a low carbon economy,” said Dr. Shawn Qu,
Chairman, President and CEO of Canadian Solar Inc. “The site selection
for the new facility spread across Ontario, but in the end Guelph was
chosen over several major cities as a result of its commitment to making
sustainability the hallmark of the community through the Community
Energy Initiative.”
"Guelph
has been named one of the safest, smartest and most caring communities
in Canada with a quality of life amongst the best in the country,” said
Mayor Karen Farbridge at this morning's announcement. “Quality of life
is important in the new economy. By making sustainability a hallmark of
our community, we’re attracting jobs and investment that will allow us
to thrive while managing our energy use in our own community.”
Since
the adoption of the Plan on which Guelph’s Community Energy Initiative
was based, the Province of Ontario has implemented the Green Energy Act,
helping to spawn a very active solar energy market.
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Canadian Solar Inc. announced it will establish a $24
million solar module manufacturing facility in Guelph. The facility
will be one of the largest on the continent.
