Canadian distiller Hiram Walker & Sons Ltd. will soon have one of the largest rooftop solar photovoltaic installations in the world. The 7.9 MW facility is being built by Mississauga-based installer Solar & Alternative Technology Corporation (S.A.T.) in partnership with solar panel manufacturer Soventix Canada Inc. and Hiram Walker. It will be the largest rooftop solar project in Ontario, the company announced July 12.
S.A.T. and Soventix Canada Inc. have entered into a 20-year lease agreement with the Wiser's Canadian whisky distiller, a subsidiary of Pernod Ricard S.A., to rent the roof surfaces of its Pike Creek warehouse location. The installation, which has the size of 24 football fields, will produce enough electricity to power 3,000 homes and offset 9,000 tonnes of CO2 annually. Revenue generated by Hiram Walker through the lease agreement will be reinvested in higher-efficiency boilers, helping the distillery to further reduce its energy consumption by 20%.
"Not only should this project be quite beneficial to the Province of Ontario's sustainability efforts but it also allows us to improve our processes while demonstrating our commitment to responsible production," said Jim Stanski, Hiram Walker's Vice-President, Operations.
Hiram Walker's decision to build such a large-scale rooftop solar project was based on a lengthy process that addressed numerous concerns including: building structural load capacities, installation timeline, health and safety risks, and a potential price increment in insurance costs. Additionally, a comprehensive risk assessment was carried out to ensure product safety and avoid any possible form of contamination. The evaluation phase of the decision process lasted nearly one year.
S.A.T.'s CEO Thorsten Hoefer explained, "Through our years of experience in the PV market, we have been very effective in providing the answers necessary to satisfy the concerns of building owners in Ontario." He added, "we expect to generate around 30 local installation jobs during the one year construction phase of this project."
"For a project this size with a company that exercises solid corporate governance and exemplary quality processes, we are pleased to bring our high quality Project Pro modules together with an experienced installer to ensure excellence and longevity," said Jan Dressel, President and CEO of Soventix Canada Inc. "Hiram Walker has been around for a long time and has always strived for quality and distinction. Our job now is to exceed their expectation."
S.A.T. has an agreement with Soventix Canada to purchase 41.5 MW of Ontario made panels over the next three years. The installer is also in talks with various real estate firms across the province to deliver turnkey systems, and EPC services, as well as rooftop leases.