Veridian unveils rooftop solar array at company's headquarters

Project reaffirms utility's commitment to renewable electricity generation

AJAX, ON, Sept. 28, 2012 /CNW/ - Veridian Connections (Veridian) today 'flipped-the-switch' on a rooftop-mounted solar array at the company's corporate headquarters in Ajax. Veridian Chair Doug Dickerson, together with company President and CEO Michael Angemeer and members of the utility's Board of Directors, were on hand to unveil the state-of-the-art equipment.

"This project is another example of the Board's commitment to make Veridian a leader in renewable electricity generation and smart grid development while at the same time championing initiatives that provide real value to our shareholders and the communities we serve," said Dickerson. "Additionally, we have a responsibility to our employees and customers to promote environment-friendly technologies, support energy conservation and lower our own electricity consumption."

The solar array, consisting of more than 400 photovoltaic panels and occupying roughly 45,000 square feet of the building's garage roof, will generate approximately 160,000 kWh of clean, carbon-free electricity annually - an amount equivalent to that consumed by about 20 typical households.

"In 2010 Veridian celebrated the completion of a 26,000 square foot, LEED-certified expansion to our corporate headquarters that showcases energy efficiency and green-building best practices. Today's unveiling marks another chapter in Veridian's commitment to environmental sustainability," commented Angemeer. He added, "Our leadership on this project should serve as a model, inspiring others to take an active role in managing their energy use and protecting the environment."

"Delivering tangible ecological, economic and social benefits to Ontarians, this project represents another important step toward a smarter energy future," said Leonard Allen, CEO, Solera Sustainable Energies Companies Limited. "Solera is pleased to have developed this project for Veridian; we applaud their forward thinking and positive action."

The solar array will generate revenue over a 20-year term through the Ontario Power Authority's (OPA) Feed-In-Tariff (FIT) program. The FIT program allows owners of an electrical service connection to sell energy from renewable resources, including solar, back into the electrical distribution grid. The FIT program offers Ontario residents, businesses and government bodies or institutions a wide-range of benefits, including job creation through provincial content requirements and distributed power generation. Distributed power generation helps to increase the stability of the electrical infrastructure by decreasing the burden on large centralized generating facilities and reduces both long-term environmental and health costs associated with non-renewable energy sources.

Veridian would like to acknowledge and thank the following companies for helping the utility achieve this meaningful environmental and energy goal: Eclipsall Energy Corp., KACO, Burman & Fellows Group, and two Durham Region based companies - Solera Sustainable Energies Companies Limited (Pickering) and Unistrut (Ajax).

Veridian Connections Inc. safely and reliably delivers electricity to more than 115,000 customers in the Cities of Pickering and Belleville, the Towns of Ajax, Port Hope and Gravenhurst, and the communities of Uxbridge, Bowmanville, Newcastle, Orono, Port Perry, Beaverton, Sunderland and Cannington. Veridian Connections Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Veridian Corporation. The City of Pickering, the Town of Ajax, the Municipality of Clarington and the City of Belleville jointly own Veridian Corporation.

SOURCE: Veridian

Chris Mace
Sales & PR Representative - Corporate Communications
Veridian Connections Inc.
905-427-9870, extension 2218