Energy storage manufacturer for solar, Sunvault Energy, is involved in a project to construct and maintain Canada’s first “self-sustainable community”, combining technologies including solar, energy storage and biomass, alongside what will be British Columbia’s largest PV park.
Sunvault and Aboriginal Power, an incubation company for Sunvault, announced that they have agreed to a deal to acquire a 25% stake in Slatchinum Development Corporation (SDC), which has already started work on the 200-home section within the city of Kelowna, BC, located next to Winfield, BC, on Okanagan Band Land.
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The area is a 19-hectare site, with SDC holding no debt on the land. Sunvault will install a solar storage system in each home, along with PV arrays. Sunvault will sell and install the 200 systems, while the companies will also construct an anaerobic digester facility that will convert organic waste into renewable energy. In total, 1.2MW of solar PV will be installed on the roofs of the 200 homes.
Home built in this community will be sold to the owners and land will be leased for 49 years, with an option for an additional 49 years.
Gary Monaghan, CEO of Sunvault Energy, said: “This community will set the standard for self sustainability in Canada. The opportunity to supply the Edison “Always On Energy Bank Storage System in each home so that Green Energy is stored and usage is maximized is something we are really excited about.”
Sunvault and Aboriginal Power have already agreed to another larger 32-hectare site that would add another 480 homes.
Ralph and Robert Marchand of Slatchinum Development Corporation added: “We are excited to be involved in this exciting self sustainable project. A green renewable self sustaining approach using these kinds of technology is in line with what we have envisioned for this property.”
