Overview
Penn Energy - Vandorp is a 10 MW solar PV facility in Port Hope, Ontario, Canada, owned by Port Hope Solar Farm Partnership. The plant contributes to Ontario's renewable energy capacity under the province's Green Energy Act framework.
Penn Energy - Vandorp is a solar photovoltaic (PV) facility located near Port Hope, Ontario, Canada. With a capacity of 10 megawatts (MW), it operates as a medium-scale solar installation within the province's diverse renewable energy portfolio. The plant is owned by Port Hope Solar Farm Partnership and is currently operational, supplying clean electricity to the local grid. The facility utilizes solar PV technology to convert sunlight into electricity, a mature and widely deployed renewable energy source. Ontario's renewable energy landscape is shaped by the Green Energy Act and the province's Long-Term Energy Plan, which set targets for renewable generation. The plant benefits from Ontario's feed-in tariff program, which has historically supported solar development, though recent policy shifts have moved toward competitive procurement. Environmentally, the Penn Energy - Vandorp solar farm displaces greenhouse gas emissions that would otherwise come from fossil fuel generation. Solar PV installations have minimal operational emissions and require no water for electricity generation. The facility's location in southern Ontario takes advantage of the region's moderate solar resource, contributing to the province's goal of a low-carbon electricity grid.
Environmental context
The solar PV facility is situated in a rural area near Port Hope, Ontario, where land use is primarily agricultural. Solar farms in this region typically occupy former farmland or marginal land, with minimal impact on local ecosystems. The installation does not generate air or water pollution during operation, and its lifecycle carbon footprint is low compared to fossil fuel alternatives. Ontario's grid integration of solar power is supported by net metering and renewable energy credits, though variability requires complementary grid management.
Frequently asked questions
Penn Energy - Vandorp is located near Port Hope, Ontario, Canada, at coordinates 43.9459° N, -78.3877° W.
Penn Energy - Vandorp has a capacity of 10 megawatts (MW), making it a medium-scale solar photovoltaic facility.
The facility is owned by Port Hope Solar Farm Partnership, a Canadian entity involved in renewable energy development.
Ontario's solar energy development has been supported by the Green Energy Act, feed-in tariffs, and the province's Long-Term Energy Plan, which aims to increase renewable generation capacity.
Solar PV contributes to Canada's goal of reaching 90% non-emitting electricity by 2030, as part of the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change.