Image credit: TRU

By Aaron Schulze

1,000 Solar Panels

TRU approved to install 1,000 solar panels as part of zero-carbon goal

Oct 21, 2024 | 11:21 AM

KAMLOOPS — New year, new energy for Thompson Rivers University (TRU).

TRU announced it was one of the first post-secondary institutions in B.C. to receive approval from BC Hydro to install more than 1,000 solar panels across its Kamloops campus over the next five years.

In a news release issued Monday (Oct. 21), TRU says the first phase of its Solarization PV Project will include 540 solar panels being installed on the Campus Activity Centre, the Arts and Education building and the Industrial Training and Technology Centre. Installation is scheduled for the beginning of 2025.

According to the university, the solar energy generated from the panels will help power its new Low-Carbon District Energy System, which will allow TRU to be a zero-carbon facility by 2030.

“When it comes to sustainability initiatives, we continue to be a leader among post-secondary institutions, and we are pleased to continue investing in our future. Since Kamloops is so sunny, using solar to generate our own power makes perfect sense,” James Gordon, TRU’s manager of sustainability programs states.

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Once complete, TRU says the solar panels will create nearly one megawatt of power, enough to power nearly 200 homes. The first phase will accomplish 40 per cent of this goal – 353kw.