A Brand New Renewable Energy Project Takes Centre Stage at MHC Brooks Campus
As our world continues in the battle against climate change, more and more organizations and communities are looking for new ways to implement green initiatives.
Our fellow Southern Albertans just an hour away in the City of Brooks continuously embrace the need for change by ensuring their sustainability plan incorporates renewable technologies that include education and awareness for future generations.
“The City of Brooks’ sustainability plan is to create a built environment that is environmentally friendly and reflects ideals in energy efficiency. This project reflects this commitment by generating a bit more energy and community education.”
After receiving a substantial Canadian grant in 2019, Medicine Hat College’s first and second year students of the Built Environment Engineering Technology (BEET) program presented their concepts for an off-grid solar garden at the Brooks Campus to their community for feedback.
The final concept was determined to be a small-scale solar space integrated into a learning environment, specifically located just outside of the library on the Brooks Campus.
Our team at Terralta acknowledged that this project aligned with the move toward environmental sustainability while investing in Post-secondary education, two things that we are very passionate about.
Without thinking twice, we joined forces with our friends at Brost Developments to put together a proposed design concept for this progressive project that was ultimately accepted.
“Terralta and Brost Developments were selected in large part because they conceived a classroom that could host learning opportunities from start to finish, and beyond.”
This summer we worked alongside the Brost team to install a 680 square foot outdoor study space complete with 30 430W solar panels, equalling enough power for 1.5 homes, on average in Alberta.
The solar pergola space is complete with cedar tables and benches, LED outdoor lights, and dual receptacles for any electronics a student may need during a study session such as laptops or tablets, plus 5 USB charging ports.
The concrete pad and pergola were provided by the talented team at Brost, while our team complimented their structure with the design and installation of the solar panels, batteries, and all other electrical components.
During the construction phase, we were lucky enough to have all the electrical equipment and batteries stored in a wooden shed on campus built by the Medicine Hat College students.
“People are very interested in how much power this generates, how efficient it is, and if they can do something this beautiful and functional in their own backyards.”
We are proud to say that this project is now fully complete and we look forward to seeing the eager students utilizing this space to study and socialize in the years to come!
From backyard BBQs to campfire songs and picnics in the park, if we are outside with friends or family we are enjoying life. We have seen a lot more backyard construction to create special havens, lately. We hope this blog helps stir up a conversation around renewable energy at your supper table and perhaps you want to continue that conversation with one of our team members on how a project like this one could easily be adapted to your own home.
