The University of Toronto is installing 299 high-efficiency solar panels on the roof of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), expanding on-site renewable energy generation on the St. George campus.
Covering almost the entire roof area, the new additions will increase the number of solar panels on the St. George campus to more than 2,600.
"The height of the OISE tower, and largely unobstructed roof space, make the building a great candidate for solar panels," said Ron Saporta, U of T's interim vice-president, facilities and real estate. "Alongside projects such as our Front Campus geoexchange system and ongoing deep energy retrofits , we are decarbonizing our energy infrastructure - reducing both the energy we use and the energy we waste - to lower overall campus greenhouse gas emissions."
The installation features state-of-the-art, double-sided solar panels that can capture sunlight directly from above, as well as absorbing the light reflected off OISE's white roof. These panels can produce almost 60 per cent more energy than older models. Once online, the system is expected to supply 132 kilowatts of electricity directly into OISE's internal power network, providing approximately 10 per cent of OISE's annual electricity needs.
"This new solar installation supports the active role OISE plays in developing and delivering professional learning in environmental and sustainability education to K-12 educators," said Hilary Inwood, a lecturer in OISE's department of curriculum, teaching and learning, who also serves as coordinator of OISE's Sustainability and Climate Action Network. "By aligning these academic and operational innovations, we are modelling the multiple ways that higher education can manifest its commitment to sustainability and regeneration."
The installation builds on U of T's growing portfolio of decarbonization projects that are transforming how the university powers, heats and cools campus buildings in order to reduce energy needs. These include Project Leap and deep energy retrofits on the St. George campus; Project SHIFT at U of T Mississauga, designed to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 6,000 tonnes; and the Environmental and Related Technologies Hub (EaRTH) initiative at U of T Scarborough, which supports clean-tech innovation and partnerships.
Together with these initiatives, solar projects play a key role in supporting the university's broader climate-positive goals by reducing emissions, increasing on-site renewable energy generation and demonstrating how existing buildings can contribute to a more sustainable energy future.
