City of Mississauga Saves Electricity Through Solar-Powered Transit Shelters

August 11, 2005
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Mississauga, August 11, 2005 – The City of Mississauga and Viacom Outdoor have entered into an agreement to install solar powered lighting in new Mississauga Transit bus shelters that do not contain advertising. The agreement is the result of a successful pilot project in 2004 where 39 bus shelters were installed with solar powered lights, resulting in significant cost savings for the City.

“Installing solar powered lights in our shelters is really a win-win situation for the City of Mississauga and Viacom Outdoor,” said Transportation and Works Commissioner Martin Powell. “By installing solar powered lights, the City expects to save approximately $400 annually per shelter in hydro costs and Viacom saves the cost in providing an electrical connection to the power source. Solar power saves on electricity use, it’s reliable in all weather conditions, and it’s an environmentally friendly source of energy,” added Powell.

In 2005, 23 new shelters will be installed by Viacom Outdoor using this solar power technology developed by Carmanah Technologies Inc. in bus shelters without advertising. As existing shelters without advertisements are relocated due to road and intersection improvements, they will be retrofitted with the solar kits. In 2005, 10 such shelters will be retrofitted.

“Viacom Outdoor wanted to look at what we could do as a corporation to help the City of Mississauga reduce the dependency on the electrical power grid,” says National Director of Transit and Community Development Darcy Clark. “Viacom approached municipal staff late last year with a proposal to pilot test the solar power technology on 39 shelters. The results were so positive that the City has now agreed to allow solar as an alternative to illuminating the non -advertising shelters.”

Mississauga is Canada’s sixth largest city with a population of more than 695,000. With well-established infrastructure and state-of-the-art facilities, the City delivers quality municipal programs and services to its citizens. Mississauga is recognized as Canada’s safest city. For more information on this agreement, please contact Acting Administration Director Michael Masliwec at 905-615-3155.