[BCMA] Press Release - Energizing the Golden Museum and Archives - A Solar Project

Fri Jan 31 10:11:31 PST 2025

*For Immediate Release: *

*Energizing the Golden Museum and Archives: A Solar Project *

January 31, 2025 - Golden, BC: The Golden Museum and Archives is excited to
announce a major building upgrade coming in early 2025. This project
focuses on the installation of a large solar array designed to bring the
Golden Museum’s power usage to net zero, meaning the building will generate
as much power as it uses.

Throughout 2024, the Museum has been working with A Fit Right Efficient
Energy Company Inc. and GreenLight Power to create a design that will reach
the goal of being net-zero. This project, funded by Columbia Basin Trusts
Non-profit Smart Grant, Destination BC’s Tourism Climate Resiliency
Initiative Grant, and BC Hydro’s Solar Rebate Program, will create
organizational and environmental sustainability.

“We are seeing more buildings and businesses take on solar projects,”
Brittany Newman, Executive Director of the Golden Museum says, “I think
that climate change and the visible effects it is having globally have
really impacted the way people think. Solar is a great way to cut down on
gas emissions and create a more sustainable community. We’ve seen what
extreme weather has been doing, especially locally, so people are taking
whatever steps they can to lessen their environmental impact. There is
currently a lot of public and financial support out there for environmental
sustainability projects, right now. I encourage people to do some research
and look into it. Also, propane, gas, and electricity are not getting any
cheaper, so installing a system that makes a building self-sufficient has a
definite appeal.”

The Museum was built from a kit in 1970 by community volunteers. The 3300
sq. ft. building relies on electricity for heat, and costs between $6,000 -
$7,000 a year to power. The Solar Array being installed on the museum will
greatly reduce this cost and we estimate that the system will pay for
itself within 12 years. Additionally, with the effects of climate change,
including the on-going droughts, a self-generating system means that the
museum is no longer reliant on hydroelectric generated power.

The unique shape of the building and its age have provided some challenges.
Engineering inspections of the roof and upgrades to the building’s
electrical service were required before the project could even begin. It
took many months of planning and designing to ensure the optimal output of
energy from the placement of panels. The building’s rounded roof ensured
that a simple system wouldn’t work.

“The Museum has been a fun system to design, as [the panels] are being
place on the side of a Quonset which has added a level of difficulty, but
these are the types of challenges I enjoy most,” Thad Mertick, owner of A
Fit Right Efficient Energy Company says. “Especially when we are able to
find such a great answer, which has turned into a very efficient, clean,
and advanced system.”

While the main focus of this project is to become sustainable, the museum
is also a place of learning. Because of this, part of the project includes
a display that will be installed in the museum gallery so that visitors can
understand how the system works and monitor the energy production. This
display is the first part of a future exhibit exploring power generation in
Golden and Columbia Valley. The team is excited about the learning
components this project offers, with Thad stating, “I love the thought of
the museum and the mixture of old with the new technology. It’s really
exciting.”

The 39.4KW system, worth approximately $100,000, is expected to be
installed on the Museum this spring.
_____________________________________________________________

*Brittany Newman    **(She/Her**) *       Executive Director

Golden Museum and Archives
1302 11th Ave S, Golden BC, V0A 1H0
<https://www.google.com/maps/place/Golden+%26+District+Museum/@51.2922114,-116.9631953,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x5379bf96b43fc203:0x194db531bf58fa85!8m2!3d51.2922129!4d-116.9611077>
PO Box 992, Golden BC, V0A 1H0

Phone: 250 344-5169
museum.golden at gmail.com  <museum.golden at gmail.com>  |
https://goldenbcmuseums.com/
Join us on: Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/museum.golden/>  |  Instagram
<https://www.instagram.com/museum.golden>

The Golden Museum and Archives operates on the territories of the Ktunaxa
and Secwepemc Peoples, and the chosen home of the Metis Nation Columbia
River Society. We are grateful for the privilege to work and play on this
territory.
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