Powering a sustainable future: uOttawa Students light the way for community farming with solar energy

At Ottawa’s BeetBox Co-op Farm, Sonia Vinogradova and Joe Workentin, alumni of the Master’s in Environmental Sustainability at uOttawa, have designed and installed a 5kWh solar array to support organic farming. Their project not only brings stability to the farm’s energy costs, but also embodies how young leaders can use their university expertise to create community-focused change. 

With farming input costs on the rise, Canada’s 2021 Census of Agriculture indicated that nearly half of farmers rely on off-farm jobs to make ends meet. The new solar array designed by Vinogradova and Workentin brings long-term savings to BeetBox Co-op by stabilizing energy costs for the next 25 or 30 years (the average lifespan of solar panels). Though Hydro Ottawa restricts grid profit from surplus solar energy, the farm receives credit on future energy bills, helping to sustain operations when solar output dips.

Operational costs for small farms take a larger portion of their revenue than for large farms, so every savings counts. 

What began as a class project has evolved over a year into a real-world solution supporting BeetBox’s organic vegetable production. This initiative will generate 5,442 kWh of energy annually, equal to a typical Ontario home’s annual electrical consumption for six months or the year-round energy consumption of 12 refrigerators.

While Ontario leads Canada in solar energy use, solar comprises just 2.3% of the province’s energy supply, highlighting the importance of small-scale projects. 

Vinogradova’s commitment to sustainability shaped her journey at uOttawa. As the manager of the University of Ottawa Student Union’s Sustainable Development Centre, she fostered a campus culture of environmental awareness and community engagement.

“As students, we learn about the urgent need to transition to renewable energy, but our office work can leave us feeling disconnected from the real results that we want to see. Projects like this show we can actively help communities today,” Vinogradova says. 

Workentin partnered with Vinogradova  due to their complementary experience. His work in environmental policy lets him think “big picture,” while this hands-on project is the solution to climate hopelessness. “Being responsible for lowering a farm’s climate footprint and seeing a project through from start to finish has been a really rewarding experience. We’re excited to take on new projects together,” Workentin says.

With their new venture, Spark Source Consulting, Vinogradova and Workentin aim to support more local businesses and non-profit organizations in adopting sustainable energy solutions. 

“We want to continue developing solutions that reduce emissions while empowering communities to take control of their energy futures,” said Vinogradova.

This solar project is a testament to the power of student-driven initiatives. It serves as a reminder that uOttawa students aren’t only learning about sustainability—they’re out in the community, applying their knowledge and making a difference.

Article written in collaboration with Sonia Vinogradova, MSc (’24) in Environmental Sustainability, co-founder of Spark Source Consulting.