This summer, the Queen Elizabeth outdoor pool will receive its power from mother nature as the City of Edmonton starts using the sun’s rays to generate electricity.
The 200 solar panels on the roof of the pool building will produce about 40 per cent of the electricity the pool needs to operate each year. A separate set of solar panels will heat the pool.
Officials say the energy generated through the solar panels is equal to the electricity consumed by seven residential homes annually.
The pilot project aims to lessen dependency on non-renewable energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. “This reflects City Council’s desire for us to rely less on traditional sources of energy to heat and power our buildings,” says spokesperson Adam Laughlin. “Generating power from renewable sources is one of the tools we’re using to reduce our energy usage and make for a greener city,” he says.
The results from the outdoor pool project will be evaluated by officials to determine how to move forward on this technology for other City buildings such as fire stations, public libraries and recreation facilities.
The City is aiming to generate 10 per cent of Edmonton’s total electricity consumption through local and alternative methods, such as solar, by 2035.
More information on the Queen Elizabeth pool solar project can be found online.
