Wednesday, August 23, 2006

Some Good News

You know when your cruising around, reading various articles, you can't help but get discouraged by all the negativity that surrounds us. Pieces like this help counter the bleak landscape:
Exhibition Place closer to becoming energy self-sufficient. The largest solar photovoltaic installation in Canada was unveiled yesterday on the rooftop of the Horse Palace, joining a solar revolution that already has similar, smaller panels being installed on homes across Toronto every week.

"It's a win, win, win situation," said Councillor Pam McConnell, representing the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. "Everyone wins. With this project we save energy, the environment and our money."

Exhibition Place plans to be energy self-sufficient by 2010. Annually, the 536 solar panels, which cost $1.1-million, will save more than $10,000 in hydro costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 115 tonnes (equivalent to carbon dioxide absorption of almost 1,600 trees), and generate roughly 120,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity, enough to power up to 35 homes...

Interest among Ontario residents is also rising. The Canadian Solar Industries Association estimates as many as 200 residential solar systems have been installed in the province since March in anticipation of the Ontario Standard Offer Program, which offers electricity generated by solar panels for 42 cents a kwh.

A small step, but a good sign indeed. The apocalypse is hereby delayed for another 5 minutes.

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