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Solar energy from ‘sunflower’

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

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.