WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?: Solar power flower in East Gwillimbury

SmartFlower to offset about 5,000 kWh per year

Yorkregion.com
May 9, 2019
Amanda Persico

East Gwillimbury installed a SmartFlower at the Civic Centre to help reduce the town’s energy consumption.

“SmartFlower“

Just the Facts:

• The SmartFlower is part of the town’s Green Courtyard program, which also includes new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and new LED lights at the Civic Centre;

• The cost to install the solar array was $40,000, of which $30,000 was paid by community partnerships and $10,000 was paid by the town;

• The SmartFlower is about 4,800 metres or close to 16 feet tall and is the same size when widthwise when open;

• There are 12 solar "petals" that work on a rotating axis to maximize sun exposure, which increases the amount of solar power by about 40 per cent compared to a fixed array of the same size;

• On average, the SmartFlower will produce about 5,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year. The power generated will be sold back to the power grid, net metered and used to offset existing energy consumption at the Civic Centre.