Northland Power and Aecon Group have announced Aecon's wholly-owned subsidiary, Miwel Construction Limited, has been awarded a contract to construct six 10MW solar photovoltaic (PV) generation projects in Ontario. Each of the six projects will be constructed on approximately 85 acres of land, and will consist of over 40,000 PV solar modules mounted on fixed structural supports.

The solar modules will generate direct current electricity from the sun's energy, which will then be converted into alternating current, and subsequently transformed and injected into the Hydro One distribution system. The projects will sell the electricity under Ontario's renewable energy Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) program, and will use Ontario-made equipment and local Ontario labour.

The projects are located near Smiths Falls and Belleville in Eastern Ontario, and Burk's Falls near Huntsville. Work on the sites has begun, with completion of all six sites expected in 2013.

"Renewable energy sources like solar are essential to ensure a strong, sustainable energy grid," said John Brace, President and CEO of Northland Power.

"With a long history of generating clean and green, intelligent energy, Northland's contract with Aecon will further our mission to provide renewable energy to power Ontario homes and businesses."

Northland has received more than 130 MW of FIT contracts for solar projects that will be constructed from 2012 to 2014. With experience in both rooftop and ground mounted solar projects, Aecon has previously constructed Peterborough Utilities' 10MW Lily Lake Solar Park, and rooftop systems on IKEA, Home Depot and Canadian Tire stores.

"Aecon has a long-standing commitment to being a leader in the construction of innovative, renewable and sustainable energy solutions," said Teri McKibbon, Aecon's Chief Operating Officer.

"We are pleased to be working with Northland Power, and are confident this contract will showcase our abilities in delivering customized solutions for solar projects."