Solar Panels on Public Buildings

For the long term future of municipal governments, including Toronto, it would be a valuable investment to instal solar roofs or green roofs on all of its public facilities where possible - schools, office buildings, or indoor ice rinks and pools.

While initial capital costs would be expensive, over the extended period the city would reduce its need for coal powered energy, creating buildings that are, at the very least, self-sustaining for their energy use. While the provincial or federal governments likely need to supply the capital costs, setting aside capital costs for solar and green roofs supports their efforts towards meeting energy efficiency demands and other guidelines like the Kyoto protocol. This support and infrastructure looks good to voters, and citizens will see the long-term investment in their community.

There are currently many projects in Toronto currently in the works and finished:

Sick Kids Hospital - "Canada's first hospital-based solar thermal energy site to be installed at SickKids"

Toronto Schools to Power Up Rooftops

City of Toronto: Green Roof Pilot Program

List of examples of green roofs in Toronto

Green Roof Planned for Victoria Park Subway