Boris Dairy Harnesses the Sun
Project Background
Boris Dairy is a mid-size dairy operation located in the Township of Mapleton in Ontario. The business reached out to Guelph Solar with a desire to reduce their hydro bills while also becoming more sustainable by installing solar panels on a large existing barn structure with a 4/12 pitch. Currently the business uses approximately 145,000 kWh per year under the Time of Use rate structure to run their dairy operation. There is an expectation that usage will likely increase in the future as the business grows.
Boris Dairy is a mid-size dairy operation located in the Township of Mapleton in Ontario. The business reached out to Guelph Solar with a desire to reduce their hydro bills while also becoming more sustainable by installing solar panels on a large existing barn structure with a 4/12 pitch. Currently the business uses approximately 145,000 kWh per year under the Time of Use rate structure to run their dairy operation. There is an expectation that usage will likely increase in the future as the business grows.
System and Technology
The 139.52 kW solar energy system was designed to maximize available roof space and provide as much energy generation as possible to offset the existing consumption. The property uses three-phase power with a ground mounted transformer on site. The main electrical infrastructure including the transformer has been updated within the last ten years, making connections relatively straightforward.
The 139.52 kW solar energy system was designed to maximize available roof space and provide as much energy generation as possible to offset the existing consumption. The property uses three-phase power with a ground mounted transformer on site. The main electrical infrastructure including the transformer has been updated within the last ten years, making connections relatively straightforward.
Solar Panels
256 - 545W Canadian Solar bifacial solar panels
Optimizers
N/A
Grid-Tied Inverters
2 - 60kW 208v Solis inverters
System Monitoring
SolisCloud monitoring
System Operation
By utilizing the net metering program currently in place in Ontario, Boris Dairy can provide their own power during daylight hours to reduce their reliance on the grid. Excess energy is then exported back to the grid using a bi-directional meter to generate credits at Time of Use pricing to be used when the sun is not readily available, for example during the snowy winter months.
By utilizing the net metering program currently in place in Ontario, Boris Dairy can provide their own power during daylight hours to reduce their reliance on the grid. Excess energy is then exported back to the grid using a bi-directional meter to generate credits at Time of Use pricing to be used when the sun is not readily available, for example during the snowy winter months.
Financial Overview
To assess the project’s financial impact, the following assumptions were used:
Utility Rate: $0.14/kWh
Utility Rate Inflation: 5% annually over 25 years
Solar Output Degradation: 0.3% annually
First-Year Generation: 151,005 kWh
Inverter Replacement: Once over the system’s life
Based on these factors, payback is projected in year 8, with total lifetime savings estimated at $1,046,585.00.
To assess the project’s financial impact, the following assumptions were used:
Utility Rate: $0.14/kWh
Utility Rate Inflation: 5% annually over 25 years
Solar Output Degradation: 0.3% annually
First-Year Generation: 151,005 kWh
Inverter Replacement: Once over the system’s life
Based on these factors, payback is projected in year 8, with total lifetime savings estimated at $1,046,585.00.
Project Impact
This installation is expected to:
Generate an average of 145,692 kWh annually
Offset approximately 5.1 metric tons of CO₂ per year
Provide the environmental benefit equivalent to preserving 223,240 sq ft of Canadian Forest Increasing solar uptake among large power users such as dairy farms can benefit all Ontarians by reducing overall grid power usage. Guelph Solar is committed to improving the sustainability of agriculture in our community by working with local farms such as Boris Dairy.
This installation is expected to:
Generate an average of 145,692 kWh annually
Offset approximately 5.1 metric tons of CO₂ per year
Provide the environmental benefit equivalent to preserving 223,240 sq ft of Canadian Forest Increasing solar uptake among large power users such as dairy farms can benefit all Ontarians by reducing overall grid power usage. Guelph Solar is committed to improving the sustainability of agriculture in our community by working with local farms such as Boris Dairy.
© 2025 All Right Reserved by Guelph Solar
© 2025 All Right Reserved by Guelph Solar