One of the key priorities of the Upper Grand District School Board's Multi-Year Plan is its commitment to lead through sustainability, and recently, the board celebrated a green milestone. The UGDSB has a long history in solar energy generation in its schools.
On February 23, 2005, Centre Dufferin District High School (CDDHS) made history as the first high school in Ontario to install a solar renewable energy system. The achievement was recognized in Canada's House of Commons by then-MP for Dufferin-Caledon, David Tilson, highlighting the school's leadership in renewable energy adoption.
Building on this foundation, the school expanded its solar energy efforts in the summer of 2011 with the construction of a much larger solar project. Since the current solar array at CDDHS became operational, it has generated an impressive 411,064 kWh of solar power a significant contribution to the school's energy efficiency. This solar energy is used to power the building during peak times and, when generation exceeds demand, it is fed back into the grid. To put this into perspective, 69 out of 81 UGDSB school sites used less than 410,000 kWh over the course of the entire 2022/23 school year, according to the most recent Energy Consumption Report.
Today, UGDSB continues to invest in renewable energy solutions, with solar panels installed at 45 schools and plans for more in the future. School buildings and board facilities play a critical role in reducing energy consumption and implementing sustainable practices.
Beyond environmental benefits, these solar arrays provide an interactive learning opportunity for students. Schools can access solar dashboards that track energy production, offering a real-world application of renewable energy concepts and fostering environmental awareness.
As UGDSB looks to the future, the board remains committed to expanding its solar energy initiatives, ensuring that students and communities continue to benefit from clean, sustainable energy sources.
