Okâch – Îyethkabi Oûgitûbi Pavilion Solar PV System – Town of Banff

Overview

In 2025, the Town of Banff completed the Okâch – Îyethkabi Oûgitûbi Pavilion solar photovoltaic (PV) system project through the Municipal Electricity Generation (MEG) program. Supported by a $12,600.00 rebate from the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre (MCCAC), the project involved the installation of 40 solar PV modules with a total DC capacity of 18 kW.  The facility was completed in 2023 as a community hub and activity space for local non-profits, recreation groups and Banff residents. The name means “Welcome – Staging Area to the Mountains” in the Stoney Nakoda language. 

Approach

The building was the first constructed under the Town’s new Municipal Sustainable Building Policy, constructed to achieve Passive House Low-Energy Building Certification for its innovative design. The Town avoided the cost of installing a natural gas line because the building is solely heated and cooled using an electric heat pump. The innovation showcases the utility of this technology in Alberta’s climate.

Results

The 18 kW solar PV system is expected produces an estimated 18,982 kWh annually, resulting in $5,700 of electricity cost savings for the Town annually. The system’s capacity and design enable it to meet roughly a substantial portion of the building’s annual electricity needs while reducing facility-wide GHG emissions by 63%.

“We are proud to provide these world-class amenities while moving towards our goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions in a community that serves Canada’s first national park. The support from the MCCAC helps us shift away from fossil fuels and towards our climate action targets. For instance, cutting eight tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year and saving the cost of natural gas connections in this solar project is a big environmental benefit.”

Banff Mayor Corrie DiManno