May 7, 2013 - EthoSolar has completed the fourth PV solar installation for Dykstra Dairy Ltd., the latest involving a 100kW Feed-in Tariff (FIT) roof mount system with the Ontario Power Authority (OPA). The project features two 50kW arrays mounted over two separate barns and claims to be already producing more than original estimates during peak times. “Our systems are designed with competitively priced, best-in-class technology and constructed by a well-trained, knowledgeable crew. It’s one of the many reasons clients such as Lammert Dykstra have returned to EthoSolar multiple times as their partner in PV solar,” said the company.
According to Sean Hammond, VP of Operations for EthoSolar, the greatest challenge with the project was the limited space available for panels on the two barns. A balance was struck on the project while the EthoSolar team achieved a full 20% DC to AC oversize.
“We needed to utilize higher wattage panels and chose Canadian Solar CS6P-250’s after some modelling in our software. We typically design our installations to allow space on the roof for future maintenance work and ease of access,” he said. “In the end, we came up with an ideal solution resulting in a system that is performing wonderfully while complimenting the architecture of each barn.”
The Dykstra family had previously invested in three ground mount trackers and one separate rooftop installation through the microFIT program.
“It is difficult to expand in the dairy industry since land is expensive and quota being difficult to come by. Investing in solar through the Ontario Feed-in-Tariff program provided our family and our business an opportunity to generate a second source of income,” said Marten Dykstra. “We recommend any farmer or family seeking to diverse their land use or optimize on unused rooftop space to contact EthoSolar and learn more about their options.”
