Sept. 1, 2009, Guelph, Ont. — Local energy provider Ag Energy Co-operative is taking solar electricity generation to far-reaching heights.

Earlier this summer, the company installed a 26-foot-tall sunflower on its office grounds at 45 Speedvale Avenue East. Built of solar photovoltaic panels, the sunflower will collect the energy of the sun and convert it into usable electricity. “We are thrilled with how easily our new addition went up,” says executive director Mike Bouk. “Together with the solar panels already installed on our roof which power our office, it serves as a highly visual reminder of how we all can do our part to help generate low-to-no-impact energy.”

Designed and installed in partnership with Sunpark Energy , the sunflower will generate clean, renewable solar electricity that does not cause pollution, harm our health or emit greenhouse gases that can contribute to climate change. The sunflower’s energy will be used to power the outdoor electricity needs for Ag Energy Co-operative’s building.

Ag Energy Co-operative is an independent, farmer-owned co-operative formed in 1988 to provide energy products and services to its members and customers within Ontario agriculture. It represents half of the natural gas and one third of the electricity consumed by Ontario agriculture.