Switzerville Solar Inc., a subsidiary of Westbridge Renewable Energy Corp. is developing the Switzerville Solar Project located in southeastern Ontario, Canada.
Switzerville Solar Project
Our project website is committed to facilitating open communication and engagement with local stakeholders. We understand that collaboration is vital for success, and we are devoted to considering your ideas, concerns, and feedback. By joining forces, we can achieve positive outcomes that serve the community effectively.
We invite you to collaborate with us as we pursue our shared objectives.
Save the Date - Project Open House
About the Project
Welcome to the Switzerville Solar Project
Max Contract Capacity
220 MWac
Project Footprint
~320 Hectares
Solar Modules
440,000
To support Ontario’s growing demand for electricity and ensure long-term grid reliability, the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) has launched a series of Long-Term Request for Proposals (LT RFPs) to secure new energy resources for Ontario’s future.
Switzerville Solar Inc. is submitting a proposal to the IESO LT2 RFP for a ground-mounted utility-scale solar project called the Switzerville Solar Project (the Project). The Project is located within Loyalist Township approximately 18 kilometres west of the City of Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
We are committed to sharing information about the Project and working with the local community to ensure that we receive and understand stakeholder feedback and concerns. Your feedback is important and we encourage community members and stakeholders to participate throughout the development process and to contact us if you have any questions or concerns about the Project – our contact information is included below.
Project Location
The Switzerville Solar Project is located on privately owned land in Loyalist Township of Ontario, Canada approximately 18 kilometres west of the City of Kingston.
Project Benefits
The Project will have many benefits to the local community and to Ontario including:
The Project will provide substantial economic, social, and environmental advantage offering a dependable and cost-effective energy source, keeping prices low for utilities and their customers. By making significant capital investments, we stimulate regional economic growth and generate millions in new tax revenues that enhance the local base while requiring minimal community services in return. This influx of revenue supports vital infrastructure, local schools, and community priorities, both now and the future, while also creating well-paying construction jobs and fostering long-term careers in the expanding solar industry.
Project Summary
The Project is located in Loyalist Township and is bounded by Highway 401 to the north and Brandon Road to the south. The Project area includes approximately 320 hectares of privately-owned land.
The Project will have a maximum contract capacity of 220 megawatts (MW) and will involve installing solar PV modules, racking, inverter/transformer stations, an electrical collection system, internal access roads, a collector substation, and a new 230 kilovolt (kV) transmission line which will connect the Project to an existing Hydro One 230kV transmission line approximately 10 km south of the Project.
As part of Project development, Switzerville Solar will complete environmental assessments and other engineering studies in 2026 and obtain all necessary permits, approvals and permissions prior to construction.
We look forward to engaging with you and other community members to discuss the Project.
Preliminary Project Schedule
Switzerville Solar Inc. plans to submit a Long-Term Request for Proposal to the IESO to supply a clean source of electricity for Ontario's growing electricity needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the project timeline? When will environmental studies be completed and permits be obtained? We intend to secure a contract with the IESO between October 2025 and April 2026, with the understanding that the award of contracts rests with the IESO and is subject to change at their discretion. Environmental fieldwork will begin after contract award, currently anticipated in Spring 2026 and likely continuing into 2027, with preliminary environmental reports being available for public review in 2027. Permits and approvals are currently expected to be obtained in 2028, and construction is expected to begin in 2029, with the project targeted to be in operation by 2030.
Can the next open house be in a presentation format? We were very pleased with the high turnout and the level of engagement at the first open house. Many community members took time to review the boards, ask detailed questions, and discuss the project both with our team and with their neighbours. We felt this format worked well in allowing people to participate at their own pace throughout the event. For the next meeting, we will continue with this approach but will also include a live presentation and Q&A session so that everyone has the opportunity to hear the same questions and responses in a group setting. Some of the feedback received indicated a preference for an open house format where questions and discussions could be had in small groups instead of in front of the entire audience.
Why wasn’t I notified? The Township set the notification radius at 120 meters from the project site, and expanded this radius further to include additional residences. Going forward, we will work with the Township to ensure that everyone who provided their contact details at the first open house - and any others who wish to be included - receive notices for future consultation meetings in 2026. The open house was just the first introduction of the Project in a public format and there will be additional public forum engagement opportunities during provincial and Township permitting processes should the Project be awarded a contract with the IESO. We are also open to meeting with stakeholders individually and encourage the community to reach out to us via phone or email at any time throughout the development process.
Will the project contaminate soil and water? Solar panels are primarily made of glass, polymers, aluminum, copper, and semiconductor materials. These are inert materials and are not considered hazardous under Canadian regulations. Some panels may contain trace amounts of solder similar to everyday electronics like TVs and cell phones, but these are sealed within the module and well below federal and provincial thresholds. In short, solar panels do not produce water pollution or pose risks to wells, soil, or waterways.
Does the project site have agricultural capability? Soils within the project site are mineral and shallow, with the underlying bedrock generally very close to the surface. The project site is not currently designated as an Agricultural Area nor a Prime Agricultural Area within either the Lennox and Addington or Loyalist Township Official Plans. This is reflective of the conditions on site which show limited capability for agriculture. We intend to explore ways in which agricultural and/or grazing activities might be incorporated into the Project should the Project be awarded a contract.
Are there any wetlands within the project area? As part of our preliminary investigations, we have identified some small-isolated wetland pockets within the project area. These wetlands will be comprehensively studied during our 2026 fieldwork. Once the fieldwork is completed, our project footprint will be updated to reflect any development limitations.
What is the bio-retention area indicated in the layout? The bio-retention area shows a conceptual location for stormwater management. Additional engineering studies will need to be undertaken to finalize the size and location of any required stormwater management structures, which will be designed to appropriate standards. The intent of the bio-retention area is to intercept surface water flow from the project footprint to ensure that any water leaving the site meets both quality and quantity control requirements.
Will the project cause deer to move away and affect hunting? As part of the project, a Natural Heritage Assessment and Environmental Impact Study will be completed. These studies will review the background information available for the site, complemented by field investigations, and provide a detailed impact assessment for natural heritage features, significant wildlife habitat, and species at risk. Where potential impacts are identified, suitable mitigation measures will be recommended to be built into the project design. Prior to the completion of all studies, as an initial measure, a 50-meter-wide wildlife corridor, maintaining and east-west linkage, has been incorporated into the project layout. Concerns were also raised about deer movement and forcing deer onto Highway 401, which will also be addressed during comprehensive studies mentioned above.
What happens at the end of the project’s life? At the end of the project’s life, all solar equipment will be removed and the land will be restored to a condition reasonably similar to its condition prior to development of the solar project. The project owner will be responsible for removing all electrical equipment, piles, foundations, conduits, access roads, fencing, groundcover, landscaping, and any other materials installed as part of the project, and restoring the site for future use. As a component of this process, it is expected that many of the project components will be recycled. A Decommissioning Plan Report (DPR) will be prepared and submitted as part of the Renewable Energy Approval (REA) application. This report is a binding commitment to return the site to a safe and clean condition once the project is no longer in operation.
Where will the project connect to the grid? Following discussions with the IESO and Hydro One, the project is planned to connect to the existing 230 kV transmission line located about 10 km south of the project site. The transmission line route will either follow municipal and county rights-of-way (ROWs) or, where needed, cross private land through agreements with individual landowners. The project team will work closely with Loyalist Township and the County of Lennox and Addington to align with existing infrastructure wherever possible.
Will the solar farm impact property values? Solar farms do not use hazardous materials, produce odour, or create noticeable noise. After construction, traffic is minimal since the site requires only occasional maintenance. Unlike other land uses that can carry stigma, solar panels are widely accepted and commonly seen on homes, schools, and farms. As a quiet, passive use of land, solar farms generally align well with rural settings and are not expected to negatively affect property values. Furthermore, we will endeavour to design the Project such that it is not visible from adjacent residences.
