The Calgary Telus Convention Centre has introduced solar panels that will generate power for meetings and conventions. The CTCC, which can accommodate up to 4,000 delegates in its 122,000 square feet of flexible meeting space and 47,000 square feet of exhibit space, has installed 10-kilowatt solar panels on the North Building roof, which will harness energy from the sun and ultimately lower the CTCC's carbon footprint.
"The solar panels will reduce our draw on the provincial grid by 14,000 kilowatt-hours per year," says Heather Lundy, director of marketing with the CTCC. The energy generated from the panels will feed into the existing electrical distribution system in the North Building, offsetting the carbon emissions by 11 tons.
The CTCC maintains its Building Owners and Managers Association Best Level 3 Certification through environment-friendly practices, energy-saving efforts, and an aggressive reduce, reuse, recycle program that ensures as much material as possible is diverted away from the landfill, says Lundy. Eco-friendly building systems and office equipment, and low-flow water fixtures are also applied internally, and whenever possible every effort is made to use suppliers who employ environment-friendly products and procedures.