Vancouver Solar Days 2010

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 building 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 roof of the building displays the solar panels

Following this tour was a ribbon cutting and tour at Stanley Park's Brockton Oval, where solar hot water was installed earlier in April. Ian Harvey, Park Board Supervisor of Maintenance Management and tour guide said a few words, as well as David Ramslie. Executive Director Nitya Harris was also in attendance to speak about the Solar Days events happening around the province last weekend.

The Brockton installation is a project of the Vancouver Greenest City Action Team’s Greenest City Initiative. The initiative was launched by the city in 2009, with the goal is to make Vancouver the greenest city in the world by 2020.

Derek Ramlu, Teresen Gas Energy Technology Specialist, David Ramslie, SolarBC Executive Director Nitya Harris and Ian Harvey, Supervisor of Maintenance Management with the Park Board.

Located in the heart of Stanley Park the Brokcton Oval is the ideal location for a solar thermal demonstration project as it has great exposure to the sun as well as a large number of visitors. Currently the hot water for the entire facility is being heated with a combination of electricity and natural gas. Flat plate solar collectors are now being installed on the roof which will heat the hot water serving the washrooms and change rooms. This will greatly reduce the amount of emissions currently being produced by Brockton Oval. The new system will see a reduction in the use of natural gas and electricity of between 10 to 25%. In 2008 the natural gas costs in 2008 were $6,451 and electricity costs were $14,559. Annual carbon dioxide emission will be reduced by at least 600 kilograms.

For more pictures of Solar Days visit the SolarBC Flickr photo gallery