Dec 14 2009
Burnaby School District is installing rooftop solar power systems at its two new school buildings. Rooftop solar power systems supplied by Victoria-based Carmanah Technologies are used for this purpose, in an effort to fulfill sustainability objectives and move closer to achieving LEED certification for the school buildings.
LEED certification is awarded to those buildings that meet various environmentally sustainable standards, for which the installation of environmentally friendly infrastructure and renewable energy options are necessary. The installation of solar arrays in these two schools will take place during the spring and summer seasons of the year 2010 and the arrays will become fully operational when schools reopen in September 2010.
Phil Shepherd, Director of Burnaby School District Facility Services, remarked that the photovoltaic systems from Carmanha Technologies will not only enable the building to achieve LEED certification but will also result in low electricity bills. Shepherd further added that besides being a utility source, the arrays will serve as an instructional tool for students.
Students and communities will have the opportunity to view and share knowledge about storm water management and digital environmental controls, while being able to view a demonstration green roof and high-efficiency heating plant.
Once the installation is complete, the Brantford Elementary site in Central Burnaby, B.C., and the UniverCity Elementary site at Simon Fraser University, B.C., will have 18 kW and 13 kW rooftop solar systems, respectively installed. The production of electricity by both systems on an annual basis is expected to 33,000kWh. The first school site to receive the LEED Gold retrofit-certification will be the Simon Fraser location in British Columbia.
Carmanah Technologies has recently installed grid-tie solar systems in the David Suzuki Public School, the Jean Canfield Government Building in Prince Edward Island and the Toronto Parking Authority.
Source: http://www.carmanah.com/