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Innovators in clean energy generation.

Who We Are

Solarbank Corp. has emerged out of a clear market necessity for a wholesome, turnkey solutions provider in the clean and renewable energy industry. With an executive management team that has over 100 years of combined experience, coupled with a strongly defined financial vision, we have established ourselves as trusted developers, engineers, builder, asset operators, and managers in the clean and renewable energy space in Canada and the US.

With a focus on grid-connected solar photovoltaic electricity generation plants, our capabilities span the entire value chain from site origination, development, financing, EPC, O&M, and asset management. Our customers include commercial and industrial corporations, institutions, community solar subscribers, municipalities, and electric utilities.

Target Markets

UNITED STATES

In the U.S. we focus on commercial, industrial, community solar and utility scale solar opportunities. We are a full-service renewable energy developer with a development opportunity of over 250 MW of solar projects in New York and Maryland.

CANADA

In Canada, we have a successful track record participating in the Ontario Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) Feed-in-Tariff program under the Green Energy Act. We continue our success in solar photovoltaic system development, installation and operation providing critical support to progressive Environmental, Social and Governance focused Canadian companies in achieving their Net-Zero goals.

We are currently participating in the IESO’s first Long-Term Request for Proposals (E-LT1 RFP and LT1 RFP) for 4,000 MW of year-round effective electricity capacity from dispatchable new build resources such as battery energy storage systems (BESS). In addition, we have also entered the electric vehicle charger market as a service provider.

Our Projects

Leadership

Dr. Richard Lu, MD, MSc., MHSc., MBA

President & CEO, Director

Dr. Lu has more than 25 years of global energy experience developing and implementing growth strategies for organizations in North America, Europe and Asia. He leads a team of established and trusted developers, engineers, asset operators, and managers in the clean and renewable energy space in Canada and the US. He is an Independent Director at dynaCERT Inc. (DYA.TSE), a growing high-tech company that specializes in hydrogen application in the transportation industry. He was the Managing Director of Sky Solar Holdings Co., Ltd. (SKYS, NASDAQ), and the VP of Business Development at ARISE Technology Corporation (APV-T). Dr. Lu previously held the position of Chief Conservation Officer and VP, EHS of Toronto Hydro Corporation, and senior positions with Enbridge Gas Distribution, Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd., and Dillon Consulting.

Sam Sun, MBA

Chief Financial Officer

Mr. Sun is a Chartered Professional Accountant in Canada with more than 15 years of experience in corporate finance, accounting and internal control. He has been the head of finance or finance director at various Canadian, U.S. and Chinese public and private companies in the cleantech, marketplace, manufacturing and mining sectors. Mr. Sun obtained the bachelor and master degrees in management from the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics in 2005 and 2014. Mr. Sun also obtained his MBA from the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Business in 2018.

Andrew van Doorn, PE

Chief Operating Officer

Mr. van Doorn has over 28 years of executive leadership experience in Engineering and Construction in the Renewable Energy and Utility sectors, with over 200MW of solar projects completed. As former Chairman of the Canadian Solar Industries Association (CANSIA), Mr. van Doorn is an expert in the management, operations, and construction of solar photovoltaic systems. He is a Professional Engineer, designated in the province of Ontario. Mr. van Doorn’s solar experience includes 32MW of community solar in Minnesota, 28 MW built or under construction in New York State, and 20 MW of ground mount systems in Ontario. Further experience includes 140MW of rooftop solar spread across 600 sites in Ontario, including at over 500 schools and North America’s largest school rooftop portfolio at the Toronto District School Board, with over 350 sites.

Tracy Zheng, MBA

Chief Administrative Officer

Ms. Zheng is an accomplished business strategist with over 25 years of experience in brand marketing, investments, business development and solar project operations. She is responsible for managing solar sales teams, project feasibility studies and partnership negotiations. Tracy held senior marketing positions specializing in branding and strategy in Colgate-Palmolive, Clairol and other marketing research and internet companies. She holds both a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Sun Yat-Sen University, and an MBA from York University.

Paul Pasalic, J.D.

Director

Mr. Pasalic is a private equity professional and a corporate lawyer with more than 15 years of experience in corporate, securities and regulatory matters. Mr. Pasalic has advised on a diverse array of complex multi-jurisdictional transactions across various industries and across the capital structure. Mr. Pasalic holds a bachelors of business administration (finance) from Simon Fraser University, and obtained a juris doctor from the University of Calgary in 2007. Mr. Pasalic is a qualified attorney in Canada (Ontario; Alberta), New York State as well as in England and Wales. Mr. Pasalic is also a CFA charterholder.

Olen Aasen, J.D.,

Director

Mr. Aasen is an executive and corporate and securities lawyer with more than 16 years of experience in corporate, securities, mining and regulatory matters. He has been the Corporate Secretary, General Counsel or Vice President, Legal at various Canadian and U.S.- listed companies in the mining, transportation and technology sectors. In the past ten years Mr. Aasen has advised on a significant number of debt and equity financings and structured finance packages. Mr. Aasen did his undergraduate studies in the Finance Department of the Sauder School of Business, obtained a J.D. from the University of British Columbia in 2006 and was called to the British Columbia Bar in 2007. Mr. Aasen was also appointed to the 2016 Legal 500 GC Powerlist for Canada.

Paul Sparkes

Director

Mr. Sparkes is an entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in media, finance, capital markets and Canada's political arena. He spent a decade in the broadcast and media industry as CTVglobemedia's Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs. He also held senior positions in public service, including with the Government of Canada as Director of Operations to Prime Minister Jean Chretien, and as a senior aide to two Premiers of Newfoundland and Labrador. Paul was a co-founder and executive vice chairman at Difference Capital Financial and serves on a number of private and public boards. He is currently President and founder of Otterbury Holdings Inc., Global Alternatives Advisory, and is an advisor and deal maker for growth companies in the private and public markets.

Chelsea Nickles

Director

Ms. Nickles is a renewable energy professional with more than 20 years of experience contributing to a net zero world. For nearly the past decade, Ms. Nickles has been focusing on developing offshore wind projects in multiple jurisdictions with Ørsted, the global leader in offshore wind. Ms. Nickels currently holds the title of Director with Ørsted and also serves as a director for several offshore wind companies where she helps to steer their success. Prior to joining Ørsted, Ms. Nickles worked as a lawyer in the Projects, Energy, Natural Resources and Infrastructure group with Allen & Overy LLP in London, England. Ms. Nickles holds a Bachelors of Arts (honours) from Acadia University and obtained a juris doctor from the University of Calgary in 2009.

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