True South Renewables has announced that it has been selected to oversee the commissioning of a 10 megawatt (MW) solar power plant in eastern Ontario, south of Ottawa.

The 10 MW site is part of a larger group of projects that utilize thin film panels to produce electricity connected to the local Hydro One distribution grid. Solar energy generated will offer a source of distributed generation in eastern Ontario to meet the peak demands of about 3,500 homes.

More than 200 workers have been employed locally since design, engineering and construction activities commenced in early 2010.

The commissioning activity coincides with the opening of a new office for True South Renewables Canada Ltd. in Ontario. The California-based company has opened offices in Texas and New York over the past year. The Ontario presence marks True South Renewables' first office location outside the United States

"We are thrilled with the opportunity to bring our technical expertise to solar projects in Ontario," said Jeff Shields, President of True South Renewables Canada Ltd.

"It is a very exciting time for solar in Ontario right now. Establishing a permanent foothold in the region will ensure that True South is going to be a strategic part of the industry's growth and much needed O and M services in Ontario. We are here for the long haul," Shields added.

The scale of the Ontario market is one of the largest in North America, second only to California. The current install based of photovoltaic solar in Ontario is estimated to be approximately 450MW and growing rapidly.