Jeff Rempel, Constructions Manger with City of Kingston says, "It's a large array, we're going to have 256 panels on the roof, in the parking lot the centre aisle will have car part solar installed with 204 panels."
He adds, once the installations are complete the Kingston East Community Centre will be 96% more efficient than a regular building of its nature. The remaining percentage is equivalent to 2.8 tonnes a year of GHG (greenhouse gases)...that's less than a typical family home.
"That small amount of electricity that we need...that can be resolved if we find a different source...our energy and asset management division at the city is trying to source green sources for that electricity so we can make it 100% net zero," says Rempel.
According to Rempel, the installation is underway.
"We'll be starting the car ports in a matter of weeks, and we expect to be energized this fall," says Rempel.
Mayor Bryan Patterson says, "This building is really setting the mark and the standard for what city facilities will be in the future...If we're going to be leaders and demonstrate climate action that we can build buildings...that are energy efficient that make so much sense both environmentally and economically as well."
Listen to the full CFRC interview with Jeff Rempel below: