Ontario Sees Surge in Solar Energy Development

Solar energy is experiencing a surge in Ontario, with more than 70 large solar farms in operation and two dozen under construction this summer. “While that puts Canada among the top 10 countries of the world when it comes to the amount of solar installed, the planned and operational solar farms will contribute only about 1% of Ontario’s power,” the Globe reports. “Still, combined with other renewables such as wind, it is helping the province to wean itself away from fossil fuels, and close its coal-fired power plants.” After visiting a field of photovoltaic panels near Newboro, between Ottawa and Kingston, Blackwell writes: “Standing among them is like being in a vast, shiny sea that rolls off in all directions over the contours of the land.” (h/t to Environmental Defence Canada for pointing us to this story)