Following Up On Canada's 2nd Largest Solar Installation

The City of North Vancouver Public Library

This is the first facility in Central Lonsdale to enjoy high efficiency district energy service using rooftop solar panels.

It’s been just over a year since the City of North Vancouver’s public library was completed to become the second largest solar installation in Canada.

Among the buildings many green features, from a green roof and low flush fixtures to a heat pump and geo-exchange system, is 120 panel solar hot water system. The system was set up to serve both the library and the Lonsdale Energy Corporation (LEC) heating plant to supplement energy use during sunny days. According to Glenn Stainton, Vice President of Operations with the LEC, this worked better than expected.

"We had too much heat and nowhere to put it," said Stainton of the excess energy gained from sunny summer days in 2009. Because of the new grid, there were not enough buildings connected to the network that was supplemented by the solar hot water system. "This year we’ll be better prepared."

Stainton says they were pleased by the results of the system and will have more buildings connected to the network so that the full excess of solar energy from the panels can be used appropriately.

Funding for the project came from grants such as the Eco Energy for Renewable Heat program and the Municipal Rural infrastructure fund. "We are shameless grant hounds," said Stainton, adding that the process to receiving the grant approval was straight forward.

The Swiss-Sol Viessman solar hot water system was installed by SolarBC Registered Installers Swiss Solar Tech, who worked under PCL Constructor Westcoast Inc. According to Swiss Solar Tech, this type of large scale installation was a milestone and being involved in the process was a great honour.

The facility was constructed to a minimum LEED Silver standard, although the city aims to achieve a LEED Gold standard in the near future.

For more information on the library click here.