Penn Energy - Ridgefield Solar PV Facility, Ontario, Canada

Penn Energy - Ridgefield is a solar photovoltaic (PV) facility located in Ontario, Canada, with an installed capacity of 8 megawatts (MW). The facility is owned by Ridgefield Solar Farm Partnership and is currently operational. As a medium-scale solar installation, it plays a role in Ontario's renewable energy mix, which is supported by the province's Green Energy and Green Economy Act and the federal Clean Fuel Regulations. The facility operates under Ontario's regulatory framework, which includes the Renewable Energy Standard Offer Program and the Large Renewable Procurement process. Solar PV technology converts sunlight directly into electricity using semiconductor panels, and this facility contributes to the grid with clean energy. The 8 MW capacity places it in the small-to-medium scale range for utility-scale solar in Canada, where larger projects often exceed 50 MW. Environmentally, the facility helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions by displacing fossil fuel-based generation. Solar farms in Ontario typically occupy agricultural or rural land, and this facility's location in the Kawartha Lakes region supports local clean energy goals. The project also aligns with Canada's target of achieving 90% non-emitting electricity by 2030.

The facility is located in the Kawartha Lakes region of Ontario, an area with a mix of agricultural land and natural landscapes. Solar PV installations like this one require land use that may compete with agriculture or natural habitats, but they produce no emissions during operation. The region's moderate climate and solar resource are suitable for solar generation, and the facility supports Ontario's transition to a low-carbon grid.