PLEASE UPGRADE YOUR BROWSER NOW. INTERNET EXPLORER 6 IS NO LONGER SUPPORTED. 
City’s solar panel system Ontario’s biggest
Posted 1 year ago
Thu, Mar 22nd, '12 - 3:16 pm
Officials flipped the switch today on the solar panel installation on the roof of the Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre in Belleville. Photo by Jennifer Lester Mulridge.
Officials in Belleville have cut the ribbon on the largest municipal solar installation in the province.
The 500 kW solar panel system – on the roof of the Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre – was made possible through the province’s FIT program and the federal gas tax.
Mayor Neil Ellis says it’s a great day for the city of Belleville.
It’s estimated that the $3.2 million project will make $1000 of revenue per day for the city for the next 20 years.
It would be a greater day if the new sports plex was open ! It’s like 2 years over schedule , and I’m sure way over budget glad my tax dollars don’t go to Belleville . My children have been taking swimming lessons at sir James Whitney for 5 years through the Belleville rec program . Nov/11 was the last swim lessons there because the new pools were to open jan/12 but that never happened. So we were told march it would open , and our spots would be held. Well here it is the end of march and they are saying maybe may but not likely . Maybe they should have got the people who built the new via train station cause they started after them and are now done . And yes I no via is smaller but get your stuff together and get it done. I also know that there are other swim programs in the area but they are not recognized by red cross that’s why it’s important to get the pools open . And on another note I love how the city of Belleville is so quick to take your money but when you want it back its a month later it’s really frustrating .
$1,000 of revenue per day. That is income, there has to be some expense… They have to be insured, someone has to ensure the panels are operating correctly. Normally, this would probably account for 5-10% of the income, but I have faith that Belleville’s public works can figure out how to get that up to 15 – 20%. So, it will take 11 years to pay for the project at their projected income numbers. This does not include any financing, or depreciation costs. At 4% Interest on 3.2 million is $350 per day. Can’t say I feel like I am getting value, or rather my money is being respected, when I write out my $7,000 property tax cheque.