SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — There are plans afoot to incorporate solar panels into the renovations of one of the oldest buildings in Summerside.
Renovations to the city’s 1912 Armoury have been underway for several months, but the solar panel aspect of the project only came before council for the first time during its meeting on Monday, Jan. 25.
The proponent of the project is the city’s heritage department, Culture Summerside. It owns and manages a handful of heritage buildings in the city, including the Armoury property.
As part of the ongoing work on the site, the building’s heating system is being converted to 100 per cent electric. To help offset the costs of heating, a solar array was included as part of the original renovation plans. However, a discretionary use variance is required from council before the system can be installed.
The proposal involves mounting two, four-panel solar arrays on stands adjacent to the building. The poles would be a minimum of eight feet tall.
Council heard that the building’s roof was discounted as a potential home for the panels because structural engineers determined it is not strong enough to hold the array, and there were concerns about their impact on the heritage nature of the building.
Councillors who spoke regarding the proposal were generally supportive, but they wanted a better idea of what the panels will look like. There were no conceptual images presented to them other than a top-down view showing the general position of the arrays on the property. City staff indicated they would endeavour to get those images before council makes a final decision.
Monday’s meeting was also the public’s opportunity to have input on the project, but no one attended in person to do so.
Council will make a final decision on the proposal at an upcoming February meeting.
More to come.
