Toronto SolarCity Assessment Partnership

The City of Toronto will evaluate the performance of solar energy systems installed in municipal facilities and in residences participating in the city’s Solar Neighbourhoods pilot program. The results will help the city improve its planning, procurement and maintenance of future solar energy systems. Third-party experts will monitor and measure the performance of existing local solar energy systems for one year to gather data across all seasons. Researchers will measure technical performance against vendor claims, compare the effectiveness of different solar energy technologies, look at site issues, examine operational and maintenance challenges, review financing methods and do a cost-benefit analysis. The team will analyze the data and make recommendations on the most effective ways to enhance solar energy use in Toronto. Recommendations will include preferred technologies, optimal sites, best operational and maintenance practices, financing strategies, and the use of research and advocacy to promote the use of municipal solar energy. The study will provide a set of decision-support tools and best practices for solar energy projects. A key outcome of the study will be a better understanding of how solar municipal solar energy projects can reduce emissions. This information will help the city to assess the benefits of expanding solar energy use.

(Project description from original funding application)