Overview
- Science World, which unveiled the installation Thursday, has added three rooftop solar arrays including the province’s first vertical system with power expected before summer.
- The setup includes 76 vertical panels plus 298 standard photovoltaic panels mounted on the lower roof at the base of the geodesic dome.
- BC Hydro projects the upgrades will reduce energy use by more than 40% and greenhouse gases by about 75%, and it named Science World a Power Smart Champion.
- Crews are swapping in air-source heat pumps and electric chillers, upgrading to LED lighting, and adding five inches of insulation inside the dome, with a new display set to show real-time solar output to visitors.
- The $39 million retrofit is publicly funded with $20 million from British Columbia and $19 million from the federal government through commitments made in 2022 and 2024.