EPCOR Utilities Inc. Photovoltaic Installation

In October 1996, EPCOR Utilities Inc. installed a 13.4 kilowatt (kW) grid-connected, photovoltaic (PV) system on the roof of its downtown headquarters in Edmonton. The project achieved several milestones for building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems in cold climates. It was the largest BIPV system in Canada, and the third-largest PV system in Canada. At a height of 75 m, the installation was also the highest elevation building-integrated solar array in the world at the time it was commissioned. After an initial investment of $120 000, EPCOR spends only about $500 to $1,000 per year on the system, mainly on labor costs related to regular maintenance. EPCOR’s solar system reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by about 10 tonnes a year.

Rooftop solar arrays may be installed during new building construction, re-roofing or retrofitting and offer the added benefit of doubling the life of the roof. Moreover, recent evidence demonstrates that solar PV systems can be just as effective in northern climates as in more southern regions.

EPCOR initiated the project to take a leadership role in the demonstration and support of renewable energy technology in Canada. The company also wanted to exhibit corporate goodwill and its commitment to environmental responsibility. Worldwide, the number of grid-connected PV systems has grown rapidly, especially in North America, Europe and Japan. More than 25 megawatts (MW) of generating capacity in well over 10,000 projects are installed annually in these regions. This project also aimed to demonstrate the technical feasibility of solar technology in commercial settings, while evaluating the technology