February 27, 2026

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Community-Scale Solar and Storage Policy Brief

 

Who is this aimed at

• Halton Region Municipal Government

• Halton Paramedic Services

 

Key messages

• Important to shift more to renewable energy as demand grows.

• Goal is to help maximize energy output from solar panels for the new building

• Net metering can offset electricity costs

 

Policy options

• Implement sun-tracking technology to rooftop solar panels

• Construct parking lot solar arrays

• Incorporate a smart battery management system

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Executive Summary

 

The Halton Paramedic Headquarters need power at all times to provide emergency help to the community. Solar energy is a clean and renewable source, but it only works when the sun is shining. This can cause power problems at night or during cloudy weather, which is risky for critical services, such as paramedic services.

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Our project offers a better solution by combining solar panels with battery storage and a smart tracking system. The tracking system moves with the sun to collect more energy during the day, and the batteries store that energy to be used later, so power can always be available, even during blackouts.

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Studies show that this kind of system improves power reliability, saves money in the long run, and supports Canada’s clean energy goals. However, most current policies only support basic solar panel systems.

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We recommend that policies should also support batteries and tracking systems, speed up funding for emergency buildings, and plan for battery replacement and recycling to ensure long-term success.​

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Problem Statement

 

Halton Paramedic Services is building a new headquarters and hub to be completed by 2028. At the moment, they are still in the planning stages. From our visit in June to the current paramedic headquarters, Randy McDougall, the logistics superintendent of the paramedic services, mentioned that they aim to achieve net-zero energy with the help of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.

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Solar panels can generate excess energy during daylight hours, especially in the summer months. Without proper infrastructure in place to store or redistribute this excess solar energy, much of it goes to waste. When there isn’t enough solar energy available, the building must rely on the traditional energy grid or backup generators, which typically use natural gas, propane, or diesel fuel.

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This inconsistent utilization of renewable energy undermines the goal of achieving full energy independence. Continued reliance on non-renewable sources also increases the carbon footprint of a critical public service facility.

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Background

 

Today, many places are facing more power outages due to factors like heatwaves, snowstorms, and old power systems. This could be a big problem, especially for places like a paramedic services headquarters, where power is needed at all times to keep people safe and respond to emergencies.

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At the same time, more municipal governments in Canada, including in Halton Region, are working toward using cleaner energy such as solar power to help fight climate change. But solar power only works when the sun is shining. That means it can’t always provide electricity at night or during bad weather.

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That is why storing solar energy in batteries is so important. It helps make sure that the electricity is still there when it is needed the most. Our project supports this idea. We want to give the building its own smart solar system that includes tracking the sun and storing extra power in batteries. This makes the building more independent, more reliable, and better for the environment.

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Research Overview

 

Recent studies show that combining solar panels with battery storage and solar tracking systems is more effective than using fixed solar panels alone, especially for important places like paramedic buildings that need power all the time.

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• The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) reports that tracking systems can increase energy production by 25–35% compared to fixed panels.

• According to Natural Resources Canada, battery storage improves system resilience and reduces energy costs over time.

• A 2021 study by McKinsey & Company found that solar-plus-storage systems significantly lower emissions and increase reliability in public infrastructure.

• The Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) emphasizes that pairing storage with solar is essential to meet peak demand and avoid overloading the grid.

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Policy Options

 

Sun Tracking System

The first option is to implement a sun-tracking system to the solar panels. The solar panels would be tilted towards the sun using motors to maximize the amount of sunlight they absorb. The angle would be adjusted periodically as the sun's position changes throughout the day. It would also have the ability to manually tilt for snow removal.

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By implementing this solution, the solar panels can generate more energy. It would also make space to implement a bio-solar roof, if that becomes the ultimate decision, without sacrificing energy output. It also provides better winter performance: The tracker can tilt panels to steeper angles, reducing snow buildup and increasing generation during short winter days.

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However, the system would contain moving mechanical parts, which leads to a higher chance of breaking, and would require maintenance. Installing solar panels with a sun-tracking system can be expensive.​

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Solar Carports

Our second solution is to install parking lot solar arrays. It is a system of solar panels installed above a parking lot to generate electricity. Open-air parking lots take up a lot of land. Although that might not seem like a problem yet, as the region grows, every piece of land becomes valuable real estate.

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This solution combines parking space with solar power generation, which makes good use of the land. It is also a good opportunity to install some EV chargers, as we start to move away from gas-powered vehicles.

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These solar carports provide cars with shelter from weather elements, such as the sun, snow, hail, etc. That means no longer having to return to a hot car or clear snow off the windshield before driving off, thanks to this overhead canopy.

 

Solar Storage/Battery Management System

Lastly, the solar energy needs to be stored somehow, with a battery management system. The key idea is to capture and store the solar energy generated during the day and use it to power the building when there is insufficient sunlight, such as during cloudy weather and in the evening, and act as a backup in emergencies. It could also provide power during peak hours to reduce the strain on the power grid.

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Adopting a modular battery system with Lithium-ion solar batteries could offer the flexibility to expand as energy demand grows. An intelligent energy management system can also be implemented to actively monitor the demand, weather forecasts, and electricity pricing.

 

This system would utilize strategies such as peak shaving, demand response, and maximizing solar self-consumption, while providing backup in case of emergencies. Integration with cloud-based monitoring would allow for real-time data analysis and remote management, increasing resilience and operational efficiency.

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Recommendations

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The new paramedic headquarters and hub can implement a bio-solar roof with sun-tracking technologies. Depending on location and weather conditions, such systems can significantly increase energy production. Additionally, a lithium-ion battery system paired with a smart energy management solution offers the best balance of resilience, efficiency, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. This integrated approach ensures operational reliability while advancing environmental and community goals.

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Implications

 

Implementing these recommendations would have important benefits:

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• Energy Resilience: EMS buildings will continue operating during outages, improving emergency response and public safety.

• Cost Savings: Over time, using solar and batteries can reduce electricity bills and lower dependence on the main power grid.

• Environmental Impact: Reduced reliance on fossil fuels helps Canada meet its climate goals by cutting emissions.

 

Innovation and Leadership: Halton Region can lead by example, showing how modern energy systems can support critical infrastructure.​​

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Conclusion

 

Our project shows that simply installing solar panels is not enough to guarantee reliable power for critical facilities like the Halton Paramedic Headquarters. By combining smart solar tracking technology, which maximizes energy capture throughout the day, with battery storage, we can create a system that delivers clean, consistent, and dependable electricity 24/7.

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This integrated approach improves energy efficiency, reduces costs, and provides essential backup power during outages or bad weather. It also aligns perfectly with Canada’s climate goals and the increasing need for resilient infrastructure.

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We strongly urge policymakers and stakeholders to support solar-plus-storage solutions that include advanced features like tracking systems. Doing so will not only safeguard emergency services but also position Halton Region as a leader in sustainable, innovative energy use.

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Appendices and Sources

 

L. Paulk, “The Primary Components of an Energy Storage System,” Energy Toolbase Software Inc, Jul. 05, 2023. https://www.energytoolbase.com/blog/energy-storage/components-of-an-energy-storage-system/

 

U.S. Department of Energy, Tracking Mounts for Solar Panels. [Online]. Available: https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/solar-trackers. 

 

“How to Choose the Right Solar Battery Storage for Commercial Buildings,” Acebattery.com, 2025. https://www.acebattery.com/blogs/how-to-choose-the-right-solar-battery-storage-for-commercial-buildings. 

 

“Solar Energy Storage Options: 2025 Guide for Building Professionals,” Onyx Solar, the Global Leader in BIPV, Jul. 12, 2025. https://onyxsolar.com/about/blog/626-solar-energy-storage-options-2025-guide. 

 

“Solar integration: Solar energy and storage basics,” Energy.gov, https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/solar-integration-solar-energy-and-storage-basics 

 

U. Noor, “Solar Panel Parking Lots (2025),” 8MSolar, https://8msolar.com/solar-panel-parking-lots/

 

“Racking for solar parking: More than just taller ground-mount racking,” Polar Racking, https://www.polarracking.com/blog/racking-for-solar-parking-more-than-just-taller-ground-mount-racking

 

“Solar project process: Commercial solar process: VCT Group,” VCTGroup.com, https://vctgroup.com/solar-project-process/

 

“Net metering,” Net metering | Ontario Energy Board, https://www.oeb.ca/consumer-information-and-protection/net-metering#overview 

 

Admin, “Building solar arrays for open air parking lots – done right,” Snake Tray, https://www.snaketray.com/parking-lot-solar-arrays

 

Layzell, D., Stout, M., Leary, J. and Stone, C. (2021). Autonomous Vehicles, Parking & The Real Estate Sector in Alberta & Canada. Transition Accelerator Reports Vol. 3, Issue 4, Pg. 1-51. ISSN 2562-6264 (English Report)

 

“Funding opportunities,” Green Municipal Fund, https://greenmunicipalfund.ca/funding.

 

Approved 2025 rates and fees schedule, https://www.oakville.ca/getmedia/f7238036-3040-4a9e-8545-835de2102f3b/budget-rates-fees-all.pdf