From left to right: Dr. Michael Mehta, Claire Irvine, Cheryl Kabloona, Brandan Dallamore, Ben Giudici, Tavis Knox, Carley Rookes, Dr. John Church.
Image Credit: Bill Hadgkiss
March 14, 2016 - 11:30 AM
KAMLOOPS - The Thompson Rivers University campus is about to install the first solar roadway in Canada after a team of faculty, staff and students received $36,000 in funding.
The Solar Compass Project will feature thick glass plates which will be used as both a walkway and solar panels outside the university’s Arts and Education building. The modules, which have a 25 to 30 year warranty, are expected to generate enough power to supply 40 computers running eight hours a day, according to a media release.
“The Solar Compass is an example of how universities can collaborate with the private sector and non-profit sector to develop sustainable energy technologies that have the potential to make a difference,” Dr. Michael Mehta says in release. Mehta is a geography and environmental studies professor who is also leading the project.
The pilot project is also partnering with Solar Earth Technologies which is providing the solar modules worth up to $60,000 for the walkway. Riverside Energy Systems, a second partner, will consult and install the electrical and PV parts of the project. It will also provide ongoing support. Included in the project will be a monitoring system to display real time data on the panels’ electricity production.
“We are very much impressed by this team’s creativity, efficiency, and particularly its passion and leadership in practicing sustainable social and community growth,” Jason Wang, Chair of the Board of Directors for Solar Earth Technologies says in the release.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Glynn Brothen at gbrothen@infonews.ca, or call 250-319-7494. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2016