News

Annual General Meeting Notice – 2018

2018-01 AGRIS Solar Member Update

Dear Member,

The following is a notice of the AGRIS Solar Co-operative Annual General Meeting. The meeting will take place on April 12th at John D. Bradley Convention Center at 565 Richmond Street, Chatham, Ontario. Registration will begin at 7:00pm. The Call to Order will take place at 7:30pm. For full details on the meeting please see the attached Notice of Meeting.

As a Member we encourage you to attend to listen and discuss the operations of the Co- operative. As well at the meeting the membership will be electing two (2) Directors; these

two (2) will consist of our current Directors that intend to stand for re-election.

The role of Director is very important in the governance of the Co-operative. The Board of Directors will meet 4 to 6 times annually. Some of the duties of the Directors are;

1. Establish the Co-operatives core values, vision, and mission statements.

2. Determine the Co-operative’s strategic plans, goals and objectives.

3. Prepare, pass and present for shareholder confirmation amendments to the

Articles of Incorporation and the By-laws.

4. Maintain board policies.

5. Set key performance targets and standards and approve the Co-operative’s budget and business plans annually.

6. Maintain policies and procedures with respect to conflict of interest, confidentiality and conduct review.

7. Supervise the Co-operatives management of its investment, property, equipment and insurance requirements.

8. Receive from management and provide to others those reports that are required and, additionally, those reports that the board determines necessary.

9. Appoint, review the performance, and provide for the succession of the General

Manager through the Management Agreements.

10. Appoint the additional Officers of the Co-operative.

11. Convene the Annual General Meeting, and Shareholder Meetings as deemed necessary

While the duties of the Board of Directors are varied the primary responsibility of the Directors is to protect the co-operatives assets and ensure the members receive the appropriate return on their investment. Director compensation is $150 for a full day meeting and $100 for a half day meeting plus mileage. For more information about the duties and responsibilities of Directorship you can contact Jim Campbell, Board Secretary at (519) 354-7178 or David Malott, Board President at (519) 678-3895.

Please find attached the Director Nomination Form. In order to nominate someone for Directorship the Nominee must be a Member of the Co-operative. Please remember that the Nomination Form must be received by the Board Secretary, Jim Campbell, before the Call to Order at 7:30pm April 12th, 2017.

David Malott

Board President

Dear Members,

Please be advised that the 2015 Annual General Meeting will take place on April 12th, 2016 at 7:00pm at the John D. Bradley Centre located at 565 Richmond Street, Chatham Ontario.

We will send out the office Notice of Meeting later this week via email and mail.

We look forward to seeing everyone there.

Please call or email with any questions.

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

Dear Members,

It is with great pleasure that we announce that all projects/assets are fully constructed and connected to the grid.

We would like to thank the board and the Members of AGRIS Solar Co-operative for your patients and support we have received over the last 4 years that made this announcement possible. We are seeing good performance numbers from the units on the individual farms as well as the connected gardens.

Customer Service / Asset Management 

Just a reminder to contract MITCHELL FRENCH (905)829-3336 X146 or via email @ mitchellf@sparksolar.ca. Please note that Jackie and myself will still be closely involved but will look to Mitchell to report on issues, trends and any other problem that might come up with the 231 on property sites and now the Gardens.

Direct Deposit 

It was nice to see that more and more Members are taking advantage and providing their banking information to use either through email or by mailing us a void check. We again encourage any Member who has not yet done so to contact us. As previously mentioned, the payments schedule are as follows:

December 31 – $750.00 license payment (deposited December 3, mailed within 7 days of being issued)
June 30 – $750.00 license payment (deposited June 30, mailed within 7 days of being issued)
April/May – Preferred Share payment – issued after the Annual General Meeting (based on board approval)

As always we appreciate the calls or emails from Members when you notice issues with the units, please send them into Mitchell as per the above note. As mentioned both myself and Jackie Flynn at Jackief@sparksolar.ca or call 1-877-247-4701 are available to answer any of your 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

As we close in on the end of the construction phase, and it has been 45 days since my last update, I apologize again if the updates become repetitive but we always want to insure that the membership is up to date throughout process of the projects life.

A Message from the President 

Recently, David Malott (President of the AGRIS Solar Co-operative) visited one of the Gardens. When I heard his comments regarding his trip during the last board meeting, I asked him to write a few words and provide some of his pictures to share with the membership. The following is brief but insightful look into the building of a garden:

“My wife and I were recently in the Belleville area and had made arrangements to visit AGRIS Solar Garden 9 located in Prince Edward County. We have all seen the solar panels installed on Member properties and I have thought that when you had seen one panel you have seen them all. As we approached the Garden and saw the chain link fence and barb wire top with all the panels inside, my mind went back to the numerous Board Meetings with the Directors studying engineer produced drawings, listening to Management’s reports, approving the Garden concept, reviewing the progress reports as the Gardens began to take shape. Now, here in front of me, was one of the Gardens. The Directors have not visited a Garden as it becomes a decision of cost vs benefit and my visit was at no cost to the Members. The Board had procedures in place to ensure that the plan to build the Gardens stayed on track.

When you look at the Garden, it is amazing to think of all the pieces that have to come together to make this work. You see the panels mounted on the masts cemented in the precast tubs, the wiring that disappears underground and reappears at the control center, which is a shipping container repurposed for this use. What you don’t see is the countless hours spent with various departments of the Government, Hydro One, Farm Credit of Canada, Northwind, Lawyers , Contractors, Suppliers, ESA, Land Owners and the list goes on.

The following are a few pictures to give you an idea of the scope of a Garden. Keep in mind that final grading and levelling has not taken place on this site.” – David Malott, President

The general eye level view of Garden 9

The “E” house

Communication cooling duct work

Control Central for the Garden

Construction Update

As mentioned, we are working in both the Timiskaming, Ontario sites and the Picton, Ontario sites simultaneously. To date, 6 Gardens are connected and producing power and the remaining sites will be completed and ready for connection through September 2015.

Service 

Just a reminder to contract MITCHELL FRENCH (905)829-3336 X146 or via email @ mitchellf@sparksolar.ca. Please note that Jackie and myself will still be closely involved but will look to Mitchell to report on issues, trends and any other problem that might come up with the 231 on property sites and now the Gardens.

Direct Deposit 

It was nice to see that more and more Members are taking advantage and providing their banking information to use either through email or by mailing us a void check. We again encourage any Member who has not yet done so to contact us. As previously mentioned, the payments schedule are as follows:

December 31 – $750.00 license payment (deposited December 3, mailed within 7 days of being issued)
June 30 – $750.00 license payment (deposited June 30, mailed within 7 days of being issued)
April/May – Preferred Share payment – issued after the Annual General Meeting (based on board approval)

As always we appreciate the calls or emails from Members when you notice issues with the units, please send them into Mitchell as per the above note. As mentioned both myself and Jackie Flynn at Jackief@sparksolar.ca or call 1-877-247-4701 are available to answer any of your questions.

Thank you,

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

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:

1. E House Completions
2. Combiner Box Installation
3. Tracker Frame Construction and Installation
4. 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

Dear Members,

Although only 55 days have passed since our last update, the progress is tremendous. The following will give you a better idea that we are progressing nicely with no timeline slip, no delays have been put in front of us and no outside barriers have caused us to slow down. All construction processes are full speed ahead.

AGRIS Solar Gardens

We have now moved into full construction for 6 of the 10 sites. This involves the following process:

1. Trenching, cable laying, and back fill
2. Positioning Tracker bases and Masts
3. Module Array
4. E House Construction
5. Transformer Construction
6. Combiner Box Connection
7. High Voltage Line Connection

Connection

As described before, these are 7 ½ acre, 500 kW power plants. The energy generated from just one (we are 10) of the gardens has a crucial impact on the daily mix the Ontario Power Generation (OPG) need to deal with in conjunction with the nuclear, wind, hydro and other power producing sources across Ontario. As such, this process is very different from connecting one unit constructed behind the barn to the closest transformer or meter. We are now connecting to the high power distribution lines feeding transformer stations across Ontario.

The most critical factor to determining when the project will be connected is the project’s In Service Date. The In Service Date is a date supplied by Hydro One based on their ability to connect projects to the grid. The process begins with a “kick-off” meeting at which the technical specifications and local resources are assessed to determine the timeline for connection. At the kick-off meeting a tentative date is set. Hydro One then follows up and sets an official In Service Date. To date, we have 6 of our 10 required “kick-off” meeting with Hydro One to determine the timing for connection of the projects and have tentatively received 6 of our 10 dates.

Construction Process

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 on 3 of them and 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 tasks 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 have added a picture file to the www.agrissolar.coop website under the NEWS section. I will be posting more pictures this week that give a better look at the construction done to each of the gardens.

Direct Deposit

Just another reminder, we are changing to direct deposit in 2015 (December 31, 2014 cheques). If you have not sent a VOID cheque in to the address below, please do so. If we do not receive your VOID cheque we will assume the current mail option is your preference.

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