2021Completion Year
400.5kWInstalled Capacity
$479,203.50Project Cost
$36,800Cost Savings
$143,761.05MCCAC Funding
9.11Simple Payback Period
367,800 kWh/yearElectrical Energy Savings
209.64 tonnes CO2e/yearGHG Reductions
Greenhouse gas emissions reductions for this project are calculated based on Alberta’s Carbon Offset Emission Factors Handbook Version 2.0
Overview
Over the summer of 2021, the Town of Canmore completed the construction of their new solar PV installation, a 400.5 kW solar PV system on the roof of the Canmore Recreation Centre. The system comprises 890 solar modules and is conservatively estimated to generate 367,800 kWh per year. The energy generated will offset 22% of the electricity consumed at the facility and allow the Town of Canmore to produce renewable energy, lower its carbon footprint, and lead by example in the community. The system was designed and installed by KCP Energy and received a rebate through the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre’s Alberta Municipal Solar Program for $143,761.05.
Approach
The Canmore Rec Centre project proceeded after the council voted to approve several 2021 capital projects prior to the official budget process. The administration was in front of elected officials at the January regular business meeting to ask for approval to move forward with six capital projects in 2021, including changes to plans to install solar panel systems on municipal buildings. In December, the council approved an interim 2021 operational budget and postponed its typical annual budget deliberation process. A 400.5 kW solar photovoltaic system, consisting of 890 panels, has been installed on the roof of the Canmore Recreation Center. The rooftop solar system covers the Alex Kaleta arena roof and a portion of the Thelma Crowe arena roof. The system was designed and constructed by KCP Energy in Q2-Q3 of 2021 and energized in September 2021.
Results
The CRC has the largest flat roof area in the Bow Valley and has one of the highest electricity demands among all buildings owned by the Town of Canmore. As such, it is an ideal candidate for rooftop solar. The system consists of 890 panels, producing 400.5 kW of power. The system is expected to offset 22% of the electricity usage at the Canmore Recreation Centre. The system is expected to reduce the Towns GHG emissions by over 200 tonnes of CO2 annually.
The Canmore Recreation Centre has the largest flat roof area in the Bow Valley, and its electricity demand is one of the highest among all buildings owned by the Town of Canmore. We are pleased to see this solar photovoltaic system installed on the building, which will offset approximately 22% of the electricity usage at the building and reduce the town’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 227 tonnes of CO2e annually.
Town of Canmore Mayor John Borrowman, September 2021
This 400.5 kW installation, one of the largest in our community, brings the Town of Canmore’s total installed solar capacity to over 1 MW. With the combined annual generation from our different rooftop PV systems, 10% of our baseline corporate electricity will now be provided by the sun.
Amy Fournier, Town of Canmore Energy and Climate Action Coordinator, September 2021
