| One of the most research-intensive institutions in | | | | the southeastern portion of Ontario was the |
| Canada, the Queen's University, was founded in | | | | focus of the second study. It was to be of little |
| 1841 in Kingston, Ontario. | | | | economic value, unusable for farming, rocky and |
| On April 14, 2010, a detailed report was released | | | | barren, and most was located close to electrical |
| to the public which disclosed the findings of two | | | | grids. |
| unique studies conducted by the Queen's | | | | Their conclusion was that there was enough land |
| University Applied Sustainability Research Group. | | | | to produce about 90 gigawatts of power. |
| They derived that the southeastern portion of | | | | "Nuclear power for all of the United States is |
| Ontario has the potential, using only solar energy | | | | about 100 gigawatts. We can produce 90 on |
| power, to match the combined power of every | | | | barren land with just solar in this tiny region, so |
| nuclear reactor in the United States. I haven't | | | | we are not talking about small potatoes," |
| heard a more bold statement in quite some time. | | | | proclaims Professor Pearce. |
| Queen's Mechanical Engineering Department, led by | | | | The sole purpose of these studies was to inform |
| Professor Joshua Pearce, is the first to conduct | | | | the Canadian policy makers with solid numbers as |
| such an investigative solar energy study in the | | | | to the potential of southeastern Ontario and also |
| region. Their findings were surprisingly staggering | | | | to locate land for developers of wind farms. |
| with regard to the amount of gigawatts that | | | | As I see these stories unfolding daily, it is |
| could be produced. | | | | becoming more of a realization that our energy |
| "We came up with enormous numbers and we | | | | future is evolving before our very eyes. |
| were being conservative. There are about 95 | | | | Solar energy is much cleaner and much less |
| gigawatts of power just in southeastern Ontario - | | | | dangerous than traditional forms of energy |
| that shows there is massive potential," Professor | | | | production and according to studies like these, |
| Pearce said. | | | | equally powerful. |
| Only the choicest rooftops that most effectively | | | | The time to take advantage of this |
| captured sunlight with the least amount of shade | | | | energy-revolution is now. Consider for yourself |
| were considered. These roofs, properly arrayed | | | | the possibilities of solar energy for your home or |
| with solar panels, could produce five gigawatts, or | | | | office building. You'll save substantially on your |
| about five percent of the energy needs of | | | | electricity bills. |
| Ontario. | | | | With the comprehensive plans available today, |
| Professor Pearce later said, "To put this into | | | | everyone can learn how to build and assemble |
| perspective, all the coal plants in all of Ontario | | | | your own solar panels. |
| produce just over six gigawatts. The sun doesn't | | | | Take a weekend and teach your kids how to |
| always shine, so if you couple solar power with | | | | appreciate what has been given to us. Make it a |
| other renewable energy sources such as wind, | | | | training project. Solar energy and conservation is |
| hydro, and biomass, southeastern Ontario could | | | | for everyone. |
| easily cover its own energy needs. | | | | You'll be happy you did. |
| Land that could be developed into wind farms in | | | | |