On Sept. 12 Redeemer University College in Ancaster, Ontario, celebrated the installation of a solar-panel system spanning the entire length of its academic building.
The $1.1 million project was more than two years in the making, after the school received a grant for 50 percent of the costs from Canada’s federal government (see The Banner, October 2009).
(L-R): Redeemer University Vice President Bill VanStaalduinen and President Herbert Krygsman, Member of Parliament David Sweet, Member of Provincial Parliament Ted McMeekin, ARISE Technologies general manager John Van de Vegte
Monica deRegt
The solar panels will generate income for Redeemer for the next 20 years. Under Ontario’s Green Energy Act, the energy generated from the panels will be sold to the local power grid at a guaranteed premium rate. That will allow the college to recoup its investment within 10 years.
Ontario is the only jurisdiction in North America to make a project such as this possible, but the approach is not without controversy. Opponents of the plan note that the guaranteed high prices paid for energy drive up electricity bills for homeowners across the province.
Redeemer University President Herbert Krygsman said, “This reflects our commitment to creation care. There is a growing demand for energy, and the use of renewable resources is an important way to care for our environment. This is an important part of who we are as a university, working out our mission of service to God and contribution to our growing community.”
Local Member of Parliament David Sweet attended the installation celebration to offer congratulations. He said Redeemer demonstrated good stewardship through this project, noting how it honors the belief that “the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.”