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Farm ties to next generation of solar technology?

May 28, 2010, Guelph, Ont. — Ag
Energy Co-operative will be teaming up
with the University of
Waterloo to accelerate the research and development of an exciting new
solar
photovoltaic (PV) technology.

May 28, 2010, Guelph, Ont. — Ag Energy Co-operative will be teaming up
with the University of
Waterloo to accelerate the research and development of an exciting new
solar
photovoltaic (PV) technology.

The farmer-owned co-operative believes the
dye-sensitized solar cell is a promising device concept that has high potential
for cost-effective application that would be suitable for the agricultural
sector.

Under the arrangement, which is subject to receiving a grant
from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the
University of Waterloo will develop a novel three-dimensional technology with
nano-structured electrodes and demonstrate the technical and economic
advantages to the packaging and installation of such solar cells.

“Not only is it the right thing to do both environmentally and
socially, but it just makes economic sense,” says AgEnergy CEO Mike Bouk. “Ag
Energy is honoured to work with the University of Waterloo and its widely
accredited research team. Together, we hope to advance solar development in a
fashion that will make this type of generation even more accessible for the
agricultural sector.”

Dr. Siva Sivoththaman, director of the Centre for Advanced
Photovoltaic Devices and Systems (CAPDS) at the University of Waterloo, says
“this project offers a great opportunity for the university to partner with the
community around us. We look forward to working with Ag Energy.”

With the Green Energy Act’s feed-in-tariff regime, solar PV is
definitely a hot topic for Ontario’s agricultural community. With solar PV
receiving a premium of 80.3 cents per kWh generated for micro applications, the
opportunity to invest in renewable energy and for smaller energy producers to
get involved has never been better.

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.