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Okanagan College is harnessing the power of the sun with B.C.’s second largest solar panel system.
The solar panels are set up at the Kelowna campus, working towards the college’s ambitious goal to be energy net zero by 2025. “With the longer and sunnier summer days upon us, we’re thrilled to have the solar panels up and running,” says Peter Csandl, Manager, Operations and Energy Systems at Okanagan College. “Imagine the electricity consumed by 26 homes annually. That’s the equivalent power the system is anticipated to provide the campus.”
The 793 solar photovoltaic module panels are covering the top of the new outdoor training space at the trades complex. This outdoor shop was constructed as part of the Trades Training Complex renovation and expansion underway along KLO Road.
Okanagan College's Kelowna campus. (Photo Credit: KelownaNow.com)
Kelowna’s new 195 kW electrical solar photovoltaic array system is only slightly smaller than the 258 kW system on top of the LEED Platinum certified Jim Pattison Centre of Excellence at the college’s Penticton campus.
“There is the misconception that energy efficient systems can be cost prohibitive, but that is not the case,” explains Csandl. “In three short years, working with Skyfire Energy, we’ve seen a 40 per cent reduction in the cost of the installation of our solar panels.” He says that this reduction is due to a maturing industry with increased demand and production as well as advances in innovative technology.
This new solar array is part of Okanagan College’s larger sustainability plan, which includes getting LEED certification for its building and going after the esteemed Living Building Challenge standards. If the institution achieves energy net zero, that means they’ll be producing as much energy as they consume.
The solar photovoltaic modules canopy at Okanagan College’s Kelowna campus. (Photo Credit: Contributed)
From 2007 to 2013, Okanagan College reduced its energy consumption per square metre by 32.2 per cent.
The college was the first in B.C. to get a silver ranking in sustainability from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.
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