Overview
Northland Power Burks Falls West is a 10 MW solar PV facility in Ontario, Canada, owned by Northland Power Solar Burks Falls West LP. The plant is operational and contributes to the province's renewable energy capacity.
Northland Power Burks Falls West is a solar photovoltaic (PV) facility located in Ontario, Canada. With a capacity of 10 megawatts (MW), it is a small- to medium-scale solar installation that supports the region's transition to clean energy. The plant is owned by Northland Power Solar Burks Falls West LP and is currently operational. The facility operates under Ontario's regulatory framework, which includes the province's Renewable Energy Standard and the federal government's Clean Fuel Regulations. Solar PV technology converts sunlight directly into electricity, and this plant's capacity is typical for community-scale solar projects in Canada. The plant benefits from Ontario's net metering and feed-in tariff programs, which encourage distributed renewable generation. Environmental significance includes reducing greenhouse gas emissions by displacing fossil fuel-based electricity. Solar PV has minimal water usage and low operational emissions, though land use and visual impact are considerations. The plant contributes to Ontario's goal of increasing renewable energy penetration and grid decarbonization.
Environmental context
Solar PV installations like Northland Power Burks Falls West have a low environmental footprint during operation, with no direct emissions or water consumption. However, land use for solar arrays can affect local ecosystems and agricultural land. In Ontario, solar projects are subject to environmental assessments to minimize impacts on wildlife and habitats. The facility's location in a rural area likely reduces conflicts with urban development.
Frequently asked questions
Northland Power Burks Falls West is located in Ontario, Canada, near the community of Burks Falls. The exact coordinates are latitude 45.6081, longitude -79.4262.
The facility has a capacity of 10 megawatts (MW), making it a small- to medium-scale solar photovoltaic installation.
The plant is owned by Northland Power Solar Burks Falls West LP, a subsidiary of Northland Power Inc., a Canadian renewable energy company.
Solar PV in Ontario operates under the province's Renewable Energy Standard and the federal Clean Fuel Regulations. Projects may also participate in net metering and feed-in tariff programs.
Solar PV generates electricity with zero greenhouse gas emissions during operation, reduces reliance on fossil fuels, and has minimal water use. It contributes to climate change mitigation and air quality improvement.