Solar Tour Sold Out Despite the Clouds

A BC Solar Days Launch Event in Vancouver

The Net Zero building in Vancouver's Olympic Village proved to be a site many were curious to get a closer look at, as a tour was conducted during the BC Solar Days events in Vancouver on May 28. The City's Sustainable Development Program Manager David Ramslie took the public on a viewing of the impressive solar roof.

The Net Zero building in the Olympic Village is the first multi-unit residential building in Canada that is designed to produce as much energy as it uses on an annual basis. The building features passive design, using natural processes - sun for heat and light, wind for ventilation, and shade for cooling - to reduce reliance on mechanical systems and thus reduce energy consumption.

The majority of the annual energy load is offset by two rooftop solar thermal evacuated tube systems, totaling 480 m2 of solar tubes. The above photo shows tour participants observing the green roof that grows beneath the solar thermal installation. This fully subscribed tour was a great success, kicking off Solar Days in Vancouver on Friday morning.