Since 1985, Preformed Line Products (PLP) Canada has been a leader in the transmission, distribution, and communication industries, serving the telco and hydro companies all across Canada. After aquiring Direct Power & Water (DP&W), PLP Solar ws born, and PLP Canada became the domestic source for a family of reliable, engineered solar panel mounting solutions known as Power-Fab TM products.

The power generation industry in the province of Ontario is growing and changing like never before. As the Green Energy Act forms the landscape for the future of the energy market in this province, the new Feed-in Tariff program is having an immediate impact on the manufacturing community. The boom in the installation of renewable energy systems in general, and photovoltaic systems in specific, has created a high demand for domestically-compliant products to satisfy the needs of the FIT program.

PLP Canada is well known as a manufacturer of products and systems for the construction and maintenance of overhead and underground networks for the energy and communications industries. Moreover, their Power-FabTM products are designed to meet the needs of any solar installation ranging from individual panels mounted on singlepoles to multi-megawatt solar farms. DP&W has over 15 years of experience designing turnkey photovoltaic systems for the residential, commercial and industrial applications. Their team of experienced staff has been working closely with the PLP family of companies to establish the global availability of these products.

During the final years of the RESOP program PLP Solar was successful in marketing a variety of pole-mounted systems for residential use and also ballasted rooftop systems for customers such as TD Bank and Hydro One.

With the launch of the OPA’s FIT program PLP has seen the industry grow in every direction. Customers looking to benefit from the high rate of return of the microFIT program have installed a variety of systems using PLP’s products. These systems range from single and multi-pole ground mounted systems to flush-mounted rooftop installations. Other customers pursuing contracts under the FIT portion of the program have worked with PLP’s team to design, develop and install custom solutions in many different environments.

Most recently a 180kW system has been installed on several adjacent Region of Waterloo maintenance buildings. This flush-mounted system holds over 800 panels and uses the custom designed Power RailTM extrusion. 



In addition to working with their customers PLP Solar has managed the installation of a 250kW system on their own factory roof. The ballasted array holds 1170 panels and fills most of the plant’s 65,000 square foot roof. The racking design allows the flexibility to work
around the many rooftop obstructions, which would interfere and cast shadows on the solar panels. By managing the project themselves the company has gained firsthand knowledge of the different challenges facing solar customers in today’s market including the intricacies of the OPA, Electrical Safety Association and local utilities’ requirements.

The company expects the newly-completed installation to be not only an investment in energy production but also a flagship of the PLP Solar product line. 



As the photovoltaic market in Ontario continues to take shape, PLP Solar is in a position to grow with their customers. Their long history of domestic success in related industries, coupled with the offering of an established high-quality solar product line, makes PLP Solar an ideal partner, one that can provide experience and stability in this developing industry.

“Having our company located in Cambridge, Ontario has been of great benefit to PLP. This region is rich with skilled workers and complementary businesses that have allowed our company to continue to grow. As we have expanded to add solar mounting solutions we are in a natural location from which to support the booming provincial and national markets.” - Ian Pollock, PEng, Solar Product Support Engineer

Sources:
• Cambridge Business Update Mid-Year Review | October 2010
• www.preformed.com