Wolfville Farmers' Market launches town's largest solar installation

Bullfrogpowered community of homes and businesses supports new green energy project

The Wolfville Farmers' Market is unveiling a new solar installation, the largest in the town, which will power the Market year-round. The 20 kW installation is made possible thanks to support from Bullfrog Power, Canada's leading green energy provider, and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), a government organization responsible for creating economic growth in the Atlantic Provinces. The grand opening is taking place this afternoon at 4 p.m. at the Market.

The project was initiated by Wayne Groszko, Applied Energy Research Scientist at Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC), who thought it would make an ideal learning experience for students. After students completed a solar feasibility study as part of their term assignment, the Market stepped in with a desire to build the actual array. With funding from Bullfrog Power and ACOA, Wolfville Farmers' Market was able to complete the project. The solar panels sitting atop the Market now reduce the facility's emissions footprint by 16 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year and save the organization approximately $2,700 per year in energy costs.

"We jumped at the opportunity to support this solar installation," said Holly Bond, Vice President Regional Sales, Bullfrog Power. "It represents everything the bullfrogpowered community stands for: helping advance clean energy development across Canada; educating individuals on the benefits of renewable power; and supporting community groups as they develop these projects throughout the country."

"Solar power at the Wolfville Farmers' Market is a wonderful step for this community — one that will help show that we can all be part of the transition to a renewably powered future," says Wayne Groszko, NSCC. "I see the key role the Market plays in the local community and I want it to be as sustainable as possible — so when I saw an opportunity to involve students from our Energy Sustainability Engineering Technology program at NSCC's Annapolis Valley Campus, I connected the two groups. We are thankful for the support of the bullfrogpowered community and couldn't have done the project without them."

As part of its work as a social enterprise, Bullfrog Power has supported more than 140 green energy projects nationwide through its Community Renewable Projects Program. Through the Program, Bullfrog uses its customers' support to provide critical funding to community-based green energy projects. For example, Bullfrog Power has helped fund rooftop solar projects on the Hope Blooms community greenhouse in Halifax, and the Deanery Project education site near Ship Harbour, N.S.— both of which educate youth on the benefits of renewable energy. In Nova Scotia, Bullfrog's community of local businesses includes Just Us! Coffee Roasters Co-op, which has locations right in Wolfville and nearby Grand Pré.

"Our farmers have long experienced the benefits of the sun's energy — in the growth and abundance of their crops. It's fitting that the Market that houses them is now also powered by the sun's rays through this solar project," says Kelly Marie Redcliffe, Manager, Wolfville Farmers' Market. "So many people have worked together to make this project possible. I especially want to thank Wayne Groszko for inspiring us and leading the project, Bullfrog Power for giving us funding that became the financial impetus and Sage Energy for doing the hard work of installing the project."