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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPSD-039-15 Clarington Planning Services Report If this information is required in an alternate accessible format, please contact the Municipal Clerk at 905-623-3379 ext. 2102. Report To: General Purpose and Administration Committee Date of Meeting: June 22, 2015 Report Number: PSD-039-15 Resolution Number: C�PPr - ►-��j(r,°�S File Number: GEA 2015-002 By-law Number: Report Subject: Request for confirmation of Municipal Council support for resolution under the Green Energy Act: ground mounted solar FIT project at 160 Morgans Road Recommendations: 1. That Report PSD-039-15 be received; 2. That Council approve the Resolution contained in Attachment 1 supporting the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) application by Edward J. Leader on behalf of Carbon Footprint Offsetters, at 160 Morgans Road, Newtonville; and 3. That all interested parties listed in Report PSD-039-15 and any delegations be advised of Council's decision. Municipality of Clarington Report PSD-039-15 Page 2 Report Overview Carbon Footprint Offsetters has requested support for a ground mounted solar photovoltaic project with a capacity of 500 kilowatt (kW) of electricity generated to be located south of the 401 in Newtonville, at 160 Morgans Road. Fee in Tariff applications are reviewed based on a point system. A Council resolution supporting a proposed application has a greater chance of being accepted by the Independent Electricity System Operator. This application has been reviewed in keeping with Council's criteria and a resolution is recommended. 1 . Background 1.1 The Green Energy Act of 2009 was created to support and encourage the expansion of renewable energy sources, support energy conservation, and facilitate the expansion of the green energy job market. The FIT (feed-in tariff) and microFIT programs were created under this legislation, and are meant to support small and large scale clean energy generation projects which will feed such energy back into the Ontario electrical grid. Through these programs, the Independent Electricity System Operator enters into contracts with property owners and businesses to purchase the energy produced. 1.2 FIT applications are now reviewed based on a point system. A Council resolution supporting a proposed FIT application has greater chance of being accepted by the Independent Electrical System Operator. 2. Application Details 2.1. Carbon Footprint Offsetters The applicant, Carbon Footprint Offsetters is a local company based in Oshawa. This application has been submitted by the President of Carbon Footprint Offsetters, Edward J. Leader. 2.2. Proposal Carbon Footprint Offsetters has requested Council support for a ground mounted solar photovoltaic project with a capacity of 500 kilowatt (kW) of electricity generated to be located south of the 401 in Newtonville, at 160 Morgans Road. The applicant is proposing a ground mounted 500kW solar photovoltaic (PV) renewable energy generating facility that will be registered with the Independent Electricity System Operator. The supplier, designer and layout are still being considered although the applicant has identified its top choice as "Canadian Solar" panels, specifically the CS6X- 315P model. Using this model, the facility would be made up of one thousand nine hundred (1900) ground mounted solar panels arranged in 10 rows of 190 panels. The panels will be tilted to 28 degrees; stand at nine feet, seven inches; and use a groundcover of twelve feet by five feet, eight inches, with additional space between units. Municipality of Clarington Report PSD-039-15 Page 3 2.3. Area The project site is a hundred and seventy (170) acres in size and is located south and west of Newtonville, more specifically on the west side of Morgans Road, south of Highway 401, and north of Lakeshore Road and the railway. The project developers have access rights to ten acres of a one hundred and seventy acre farm owned by Thinkwind Corp., an Ontario based corporation. The context of the project site can be seen on the map (Figure 1). Figure 1: Proposed Location of Ground Mounted Solar Project Highway 401 4-s Concession Rd�� �- _ -- Site Location t y iKf- L C I° F Lakeshore Rd " The lands proposed to be used are classified in Clarington's Official Plan as "Prime Agricultural". The Soil Capability for Agriculture (CLI) classifies the project lands as CLI — Class 4 lands which are defined by the Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Agriculture, and Food and Rural Affairs: "Non-prime agricultural land includes CLI Classes 4 through 7. This land has severe limitations that may restrict its agricultural capability: Class 4 — Land in this class has severe limitations that restrict the choice of crops, or requires special conservation practices and very careful management, or both." Due to these limitations, the proposed project land is not currently being used for agricultural purposes. However, the majority of the surrounding lands are currently in agricultural production and actively cropped. Municipality of Clarington Report PSD-039-15 Page 4 2.4. Project Details A capacity evaluation of the Hydro One Port Hope Transformer Station (TS-DESN1) using the closest feeder (M18) has shown that there is available capacity on the system for the project. Independent Electrical System Operator requires visual screening of the facility. A three metre wide and three metre high natural vegetation screen needs to be planted within five years. It will be made up of non-invasive locally significant species with a mix of 60% coniferous and 40% multi-stem deciduous. A two metre high security fence will be installed behind the natural visual screening. A small temporary garage will be required to store maintenance equipment such as weed and tree trimmers. There will be two concrete pads needed, one to support the inverter that connects direct current (DC) produced by the panels to alternating current (AC) that is used to transmit the power through the grid. The second pad will be needed to support the transformer that steps up the voltage to be in sync with the 44 Kilovolt (Kv) voltage on the Hydro One distribution system. 3. Clarington Criteria for Reviewing FIT Project Applications 3.1. Strategic Plan Conformity The project is compliant with the Strategic Plan's objective of"promoting green initiatives" as it creates sustainable renewable energy. Environmental impact during construction will be managed and mitigated. 3.2. Community Benefit In-kind contributions will be through offering access to the facility for educational and training purposes for students of the College of Renewable Energy and Durham College studying renewable energy. 3.3. Financial Implications There will be no financial burden on Clarington as a result of this project. 3.4. Community Consultation The project is located in a rural area however, the developer will personally notify the neighbours of the property to inform them of the plans and seek their input. 3.5. Property Use Risk Mitigation This is not applicable as this is a ground mounted project. 3.6. Official Plan Policies and Zoninq Regulations The Official Plan policies and zoning regulations allow for the proposed use as accessory to the agricultural operation. Municipality of Clarington Report PSD-039-15 Page 5 3.7. Physical Impact on Streetscape Setbacks are not typically applicable for ground mounted solar facilities however, if the municipality deems a setback is necessary, the applicant is willing to conform to the setback resolution. The applicant has indicated that they intend to comply with the Independent Electricity System Operator's requirements for visual screening from the road. The screening is required to be three metres wide and three metres high and consist of natural vegetation. The applicant has indicated that the solar panels will be less than three metres in height so there should be minimal impact on the streetscape once the screening is in place. 4. Concurrence Not Applicable 5. Conclusion Staff recommend that the Municipal Council Support Resolution Confirmation for Carbon Footprint Offsetters (Attachment 1) be endorsed by Council. 6. Strategic Plan Application The recommendations contained in this report conform to the Strategic Plan. 4ZI Submitted b y: eviewed by:D vj J. CCIP, RPI Franklin Wu, \birector of Planning Services Chief Administrative Officer Staff Contact: Brandon Weiler, Planner, 905-623-3379 ext. 2424 or bweiler @clarington.net Attachments: Attachment 1 - Resolution The following is a list of the interested parties to be notified of Council's decision: Edward J. Leader, Carbon Footprint Offsetters FL/BW/HD/df Attachment 1 to Municipality of Clarington Report PSD-039-15 WHEREAS Carbon Footprint Offsetters (the applicant) proposes to construct and operate a ground mounted solar array (the "Project") on a farm located at 160 Morgan’s Road, Newcastle (the "Lands") in the Municipality of Clarington under the Province's FIT Program; AND WHEREAS the Applicant has requested that Council of the Municipality of Clarington indicate by resolution Council's support for the construction and operation of the Project on the Property; AND WHEREAS, pursuant to the rules governing the FIT Program (the “FIT Rules”), Applications whose Projects receive the formal support of Local Municipalities will be awarded Priority Points, which may result in the Applicant being offered a FIT Contract prior to other persons applying for FIT Contracts; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT: Council of the Municipality of Clarington supports without reservation the construction and operation of the Project on the Lands. This resolution's sole purpose is to enable the Applicant to receive Priority Points under the FIT Program and may not be used for the purpose of any other form of municipal approval in relation to the Application or Project or any other purpose.