Solar
The sun is perhaps our greatest energy resource. In fact, with few exceptions, the sun is either directly or indirectly responsible for all of the energy that is available on the Earth. It makes sense, therefore, that solar energy systems will play an important role in any sustainable electricity mix.
The Sustainable Technologies Evaluation Program (STEP) is involved in a wide range of solar energy research projects that help to address and overcome barriers to the more widespread adoption of this technology. Research is focused on four primary solar technology categories: photovoltaics, solar domestic hot water systems, solar pool heating, and solar air heating systems.
As part of the Solar City Partnership, which was founded in 2008 by the Toronto Atmospheric Fund, the City of Toronto Energy and Waste Management Office, and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), STEP has been involved in monitoring of existing solar installations to help identify barriers and develop guidance on best practices. In 2014 it was determined that the Solar City Partnership would be integrated into the energy component of STEP, which has similar objectives. Click here to learn more about the Solar City Partnership.
Projects
Power Quality of Solar Photovoltaic Inverters
Project webpage | Full report
Evaluation of an International Photovoltaic Module Power Rating Standard
Project webpage | Full report | Technical brief
Evaluation of the Influence of Tilt Angle on the Performance of Photovoltaic Panels
Project webpage
Evaluation of Solar-Assisted, Electric and Gas Golf Carts
Project webpage | Full report | Fact sheet
Horse Palace Photovoltaic Pilot Project
2009 Findings Report | 2012 Update Report
Performance Review of Rooftop Solar PV Projects
Full Report
Loyalty One 163 kW PV Installation
Project Profile | Full Report
Horgan Water Treatment Plant 86 kW PV Installation
Project Profile | Full Report
9 Hanna Avenue Parking Garage 50 kW PV Installation
Project Profile | Full Report
Earth Rangers 28 kW PV Installation
Project Profile | Full Report
Neighbourhood Unitarian Universalist Congregation 25 kW PV Installation
Project Profile | Full Report
2 Church Street Parking Garage 21 kW PV Installation
Project Profile | Full Report
Fire Hall #334 3.2 kW PV Installation
Project Profile | Full Report
Fire Hall #424 1.2 kW PV Installation
Project Profile | Full Report
Solar Neighbourhoods Pilot Project Technical Findings
Update Report
Wilmar Court 37 kWt Solar Domestic Water Heating Installation
Project Profile | Final Report
Fire Hall #212 12.5 kWt Solar Domestic Water Heating Installation
Project Profile | Final Report
Fire Hall #231 12.5 kWt Solar Domestic Water Heating Installation
Project Profile | Final Report
Performance Review of Four Public Outdoor Pool Solar Thermal Heating Systems in the City of Toronto
Full Report | Gihon Spring Project Profile | Park Lawn Project Profile | Rotary Project Profile | Weston Lions Project Profile
Agincourt Recreation Centre Indoor Pool 166 kWt Solar Pool Heating Installation
Project Profile | Final Report
Centennial Recreation Centre Indoor Pool 172 kWt Solar Pool Heating Installation
Project Profile | Final Report
Central Maintenance Garage 369 kWt Solar Wall Air Heating Installation
Project Profile | Final Report
Scadding Court 100 kWt Solar Wall Air Heating Installation
Project Profile | Final Report
References
Power Quality of Solar Photovoltaic Inverters
Project webpage | Full report
Evaluation of an International Photovoltaic Module Power Rating Standard
Project webpage | Full report | Technical brief
Evaluation of the Influence of Tilt Angle on the Performance of Photovoltaic Panels
Project webpage
Evaluation of Solar-Assisted, Electric and Gas Golf Carts
Project webpage | Full report | Fact sheet
Horse Palace Photovoltaic Pilot Project
2009 Findings Report | 2012 Update Report
Performance Review of Rooftop Solar PV Projects
Full Report
Loyalty One 163 kW PV Installation
Project Profile | Full Report
Horgan Water Treatment Plant 86 kW PV Installation
Project Profile | Full Report
9 Hanna Avenue Parking Garage 50 kW PV Installation
Project Profile | Full Report
Earth Rangers 28 kW PV Installation
Project Profile | Full Report
Neighbourhood Unitarian Universalist Congregation 25 kW PV Installation
Project Profile | Full Report
2 Church Street Parking Garage 21 kW PV Installation
Project Profile | Full Report
Fire Hall #334 3.2 kW PV Installation
Project Profile | Full Report
Fire Hall #424 1.2 kW PV Installation
Project Profile | Full Report
Solar Neighbourhoods Pilot Project Technical Findings
Update Report
Wilmar Court 37 kWt Solar Domestic Water Heating Installation
Project Profile | Final Report
Fire Hall #212 12.5 kWt Solar Domestic Water Heating Installation
Project Profile | Final Report
Fire Hall #231 12.5 kWt Solar Domestic Water Heating Installation
Project Profile | Final Report
Performance Review of Four Public Outdoor Pool Solar Thermal Heating Systems in the City of Toronto
Full Report | Gihon Spring Project Profile | Park Lawn Project Profile | Rotary Project Profile | Weston Lions Project Profile
Agincourt Recreation Centre Indoor Pool 166 kWt Solar Pool Heating Installation
Project Profile | Final Report
Centennial Recreation Centre Indoor Pool 172 kWt Solar Pool Heating Installation
Project Profile | Final Report
Central Maintenance Garage 369 kWt Solar Wall Air Heating Installation
Project Profile | Final Report
Scadding Court 100 kWt Solar Wall Air Heating Installation
Project Profile | Final Report
1UN Secretary General’s statement while presenting the International Panel on Climate Change’s 2014 report in Copenhagen, November 2014.
2International Panel on Climate Change, “Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability,” November 2014.