New solar technology to power Wal-Mart superstore

Wal-Mart Canada has plans to build the country’s largest rooftop solar-energy system on a superstore planned for Markham later this year. Ottawa-based Menova Energy will install an innovative “concentrated” solar-energy system with the help of a $3-million investment by the provincial government. Wal-Mart is partnering in the installation of the system to help prove the feasibility of the technology for a retail environment.

Menova’s PowerSpar® technology magnifies sunlight by 1,000 times onto tiny solar cells, resulting in a dramatic reduction in costs and highly efficient electricity production. Heat is also captured in the process, creating another source of emission-free energy that can replace the fossil fuels typically used for space and hot-water heating.

“On just one Wal-Mart store, this Ontario product can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 390 tonnes per year,” said Minister John Wilkinson at the official announcement of the project this morning.

Ontario’s funding is provided as part of the government’s Innovation Demonstration Fund, which is investing $30 million over four years to help companies bring to market technologies that have an environmental benefit.