Solar panels installed on MSA office building

In keeping with our green design initiatives, MSA installed solar panels on the south side and roof of our building, on the corner of Catharine St. N. and Cannon St., downtown Hamilton.  Our system comprises of a total of 52 panels, with the south side panels doubling as daylight control as they act as a window shade in their placement above our large windows.  The total system can generate 9.88kW with each panel rated at 230W.

Installed in December, 2010, these panels are part of the microFIT program offered by the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) to generate electricity that is fed directly back into the electrical grid system.  This program involves a 20-year lease agreement with the OPA for MSA to generate power and supply it back to the grid.  The OPA will pay 80.2 cents per kWh (kilowatt hour) generated – the average electrical prices paid on an energy bill are approximately 15 cents per kWh – which is a great way to generate an additional monthly income with little maintenance.  A hydro meter was installed on the side of the building which monitors the amount of power going back into the grid.  We estimate that our solar panels will provide approximately $800 to $1,000 per month from selling the power generated from them. 

We will continue to provide stats on our exciting new project as we monitor the monthly power generation usage!