Solar energy warms Canada’s Winter Games

"The Halifax Regional Municipality is to be congratulated for having had the vision to commission such a forward thinking complex," said Heather MacAulay, LEED AP, CanSIA Board of Directors (Atlantic Region). "The entire facility is designed with an emphasis on energy efficiency and to promote a healthy indoor environment, the inclusion of solar energy to that end was key."

"The adoption of solar heating technology is a very cost effective measure," said Richard MacLellan, SEMO (Sustainable Environment Management Office) Manager, Halifax Regional Municipality. "In this building – where the use of hot water is quite high – there was a large opportunity for savings by reducing the long-term operating costs on the facility. We’ll be continuing to explore the most innovative and promising renewable technologies on any of our projects going forward to continue to see what makes the best sense to adopt."

Halifax Mayor Peter Kelly, Premier Darrell Dexter and Defence Minister Peter MacKay unveiled the $45-million venue on Jan. 15.

The Canadian Solar Industries Association is a national trade association that represents approximately 650 solar energy companies throughout Canada. Since 1992, CanSIA has worked to develop a strong, efficient, ethical and professional Canadian solar energy industry with capacity to provide innovative solar energy solutions and to play a major role in the global transition to a sustainable, clean-energy future.

www.cansia.ca/