Dear Members,
As we close another year and I write the final Member update of 2014, we felt that the last update of the year should give the membership a little more insight into each of the gardens and there current status.
Again, since our last update, the progress is tremendous and you will see in the below some of the major accomplishments, some of the small issues we have concurred and some of the completions.
AGRIS Solar Gardens
We have now moved into the completion stages for 6 of the 10 sites. This involves the following process:
- E House Completions
- Combiner Box Installation
- Tracker Frame Construction and Installation
- Connecting to the Grid
AGRIS GARDENS 5, 6, & 7 – Location: New Liskeard
Despite very adverse construction conditions through the fall and record rains the progress on these sites has continued at an encouraging pace.
Included in the challenges has been working with Hydro One and the Ontario Grid Control Centre to coordinate the “Planned Outages” where the project is physically tied into the grid, Hydro One attempts to minimize the disruption to local customers in order to connect AGRIS Solar Gardens. For example: on December 4th the M1 Feeder (44Kv) that serves the Abitibi Pulp mill in Engleheart was taken off line and projects 5, 6 and 7 were tied into the grid.
Despite -30 deg Celsius conditions, Hydro One did an outstanding job tying in these projects.
Our goal remains to get as many of the task completed without any risk to the Co-op if the tentative dates of connection are moved out by Hydro One. We are not expecting delays but at the same time we will always proceed with minimal risks.
We are now working through the required commissioning, testing and monitoring required for projects connecting onto the “controlled grid” with our engineers and with Hydro One. We anticipate that Agris 6 will be “ In Service” by Christmas with Agris 7 and Agris 5 following just after the New Year.
AGRIS GARDENS 2 and 8 – Location: New Liskeard
The construction scheduled was revised on Agris 2 and 8 to coincide with the “revised planned outage” dates from Hydro One. In November, we received an e-mail from Hydro One stating the planned outages that allow 2 & 8 to be connected were changed due to the requirements for the local Abitibi Pulp mill. Currently bases and masts have been installed on Agris 2 and will be complete on 8 by Christmas with the cable install occurring in the new year. The current expectation on grid tie-in with Hydro One and energization of the projects is February 29th.
AGRIS GARDENS 1, 3 and 4 – Location: New Liskeard
Agris 3
Due to the required station upgrades to the Coutsville DS and the additional protection requirement (“Transfer Trip”) the “ In Service Date “ for the project is anticipated to be July 17, 2015, this is the date that is now currently in all Hydro One Planning documentation.
Construction of roads and fence will begin on Agris 3 just prior to Christmas with base and mast construction to begin early in the new year.
Agris 1 and 4
Due to the required station upgrades to the Coutsville DS and the additional protection requirement (“Transfer Trip”) the “ In Service Date “ for the project is anticipated to be July 17, 2015, this is the date that is now currently in all Hydro One Planning documentation.
Construction of roads and fence will begin on Agris 3 just prior to Christmas with base and mast construction to begin early in the new year.
AGRIS GARDEN 9 and 10 – Location: Picton
Agris 9
Installation of the road and fencing has been completed, base and mast construction has begun with cable, ground grid and high voltage work following and tracker erection completed shortly thereafter. The current “In Service Date” for Agris 9 with Hydro One is March 15, 2015
Agris 10
The “Kick Off” meeting was held with Hydro One on December 9 to review project deliverables, scheduling and confirm the “In Service Date” for the project. Due to the required station upgrades to the Picton TS and the additional protection requirement (“Transfer Trip”) the “In Service Date” for the project is anticipated to be June 1st, 2015
Construction of roads and fence will begin on Agris 10 in January and will be timed to meet the June 1st deadline.
We are still going forward with different levels of construction on 8 Timiskaming, Ontario sites and 2 Picton, Ontario sites. We will still remain cautious since we do not have official In Service Dates and will construct to a point until it is more prudent to stop and wait for the In Service Dates.
Our goal remains to get as many of the task completed without any risk to the Co-op. If the tentative dates of connection are moved out by Hydro One. We are not expecting delays but at the same time we will always proceed with minimal risks.
Please note, I have added an updated picture file to the web site www.agrissolar.coopunder the NEWS section. I will continue to post more pictures that give a better look into the construction of the AGRIS Solar Gardens.
Direct Deposit
I would like to apologize to the membership, but do to some failures during the testing we are unable to provide direct deposit service for the December 2014 license payments. We will not risk the potential of members not receiving their payment until we are 100% confirmed that the money will be deposited in the correct accounts.
Although we have only received 50% participation with this payment method I was hoping that those that did sign up would receive it. We have chosen a few Members to perform future test with and we hope this will be the last manual check going to those who wish to participate.
I will be sending out a notification with your mailed check that you are participating in the direct deposit option. If you do not receive this confirmation with your check and you have indicated you wish to participate, please contact Jackie Flynn atJackief@sparksolar.ca or call 1-877-247-4701.
If you have not sent a VOID cheque in to the address below and wish to have direct deposit, please do so.
As always we appreciate the calls or emails from Members when you notice issues with the units, please keep sending them into Jackie Flynn at Jackief@sparksolar.ca or call 1-877-247-4701.
Please call or email with any questions. Thank you,
AGRIS Solar Co-operative Inc.
Sean Kelly
Director Member Services, Government Relations
Spark Solar
1315 North Service Road East, Suite 300
Oakville, Ontario L6H 1A7
Tel: (905)829-3336 x141
Mobile: (416)919-1890
Email: seank@sparksolar.ca