Samsung solar farm said to be coming to Windsor Airport

Samsung will build a solar farm at the Windsor airport.

Windsor Mayor Eddie Francis said on Wednesday that talks have been underway for several months.He was not ready to reveal which company is involved.

However, CBC News has confirmed it's Samsung.

The solar farm is to be built on farmland and will not affect future growth of the airport.

The city will own the land and the deal will cost taxpayers nothing, sources said.

The company will pay the city $20 million over 20 years for use of the land and an additional $200,000 a year in property taxes.

Francis held a closed-door meeting with city councillors late Wednesday to discuss the farm.

He briefed them about he called a "major economic announcement."

Francis claims Windsor was chosen because it has so many sunny days.

According to Natural Resources Canada, Windsor has 1,221 hours of Photovoltaic potential each year.

"For now, what I'm prepared to say is that city council has given the go-ahead and I believe it's a significant development," Francis aid. "And that development is in partnership with a large solar developer that is pretty active in the province of Ontario."

Francis said the deal is not finalized but that he's comfortable enough with making the announcement, without naming the company.

Francis said more details will be revealed in two weeks, when the issue formally comes before council.

Francis and council have, for years, been trying to diversify the city's economy and have been working closely with several green energy companies.

"I think from an energy perspective, it just reinforces our position in terms of being on the forefront of renewable energies, now, with CS Wind and with this development" he said. "Bottom line is we are more appealing because we have more sun days."