Grand Opening of the Renewable Energy Technology Center

A special guest on a special occasion

On April 15 2010, the Honourable Sandra Pupatello, Ontario's Minister of Economic Development and Trade and MPP for Windsor West did scn energy America the honour of officially opening the Renewable Energy Technology Center in Windsor.

Not only did the Minister ceremonially cut the ribbon to open the doors to the RET-Center, she was also there to celebrate the connection of Windsor's first photovoltaic system under the new Ontario Feed in Tariff program.

Many intrigued guests and visitors attended the ceremony including representatives of the City of Windsor, St. Clair College of the Arts, EnWin Utilities (Windsor's local power distribution company) and the Windsor Essex Development Commission. One of the honoured guests was Christian Lieck, owner and chairman of the board of scn energy AG from Germany.

scn energy America, the American division of scn energy, is one of two companies running the RET-Center; the other one being Green Sun Rising, experts in residential and commercial solar thermal systems.

A highlight for guests at the opening ceremony was the chance to see solar technology in action. A five Kilowatt photovoltaic system, mounted on a carport structure in the RET-Centers parking lot, is constantly feeding the electricity it produces into the grid. scn's solar experts have attached a solar charging station for electric vehicles to the system. During the opening ceremony an electric police cruiser from the Windsor Police Service (see photo) showed the functionality and versatility of the charging station.

The event shone a bright light on the power of solar energy and the importance of the industry to the region.

Minister Sandra Pupatello cutting the ribbon to open the new RET Center together with Christian Lieck (fourth from right), chairman of the board of the scn energy AG.

Click here to download some impressions of the Grand Opening of the RET Center (pdf, 1MB).