October 30, 2012
Updated: October 31, 2012 | 2:55 pm
Toronto firm Baka Communications’ huge grid of solar panels above their
new-age filling station is one of the biggest in North America.
It’s a strategy that is gaining more and more traction these days, due to clean energy issues and the subsequent and rising popularity of the modern electrical-driven automobile.
A big case in point is the structure that suddenly appeared last week on the premises of Baka Communications. The Toronto-firm is billing it as the largest solar charging station in Canada that is not run by a government or utility-company entity. It’s also among the largest in North America.
“We also have the largest private fleet of Chevrolet Volts in Canada,” says Baka’s president, John Marion. At the station’s ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 23, eight of the Volts were simultaneously charged, showing off the eight available charging stations, positioned under the carport’s massive 20-kilowatt solar-panel roof.
Marion initiated the project after installing some solar panels at his house. It got him thinking about what he could do in the same green vein at the office.
“Next year, we’re scheduled to do our rooftop project, an 80-kilowatt system,” adds Marion. “When you combine them, they’ll be able to provide 50 per cent of our total electrical needs at this location, including the full charging of all nine cars for 20-kilowatt-per-year driving.”
The electric fleet and the two big solar panels will set the company back about $1 million dollars. Marion obviously feels the investment is justified.
“At the end of the day, I want to promote green … When we’re bidding for work, clients want to know how green you are. We do a lot of green things, like recycling and conservation. Those are the norms. But nobody can come close to what we’re doing. At the same time, it’s got to be in you. It’s in me.”
It’s in Marion so much he wants to make Baka an “evangelist for the environmental movement.” In this regard, Baka is blessed by its location adjacent to the much-travelled 427 Highway — about 275,000 vehicles a day will pass by the firm’s electric carport.
“When you combine them, they’ll be able to provide 50 per cent of our total electrical needs at this location, including the full charging of all nine cars for 20-kilowatt-per-year driving.”
The Sass in question is Sass Peress of Renewz Sustainable Solutions, which built and created Baka’s system. Peress says the station is the first in North America to be based on a combination of Italian structural technology and North American electrical technology.
The company will be introducing a home version in 2013. Also unique will be the ability to reserve a charging station via a mobile device, but only when Baka is ready to give public access to these charging stations.
How will Baka charge public users for charging? Marion said they wouldn’t have to pay. Why no payment I can’t help but ask…
“Because it’s free,” says Marion, pointing to the sky.
Auto Pilot: Sing it – I’m driving on sunshine!
It’s a strategy that is gaining more and more traction these days, due to clean energy issues and the subsequent and rising popularity of the modern electrical-driven automobile.
A big case in point is the structure that suddenly appeared last week on the premises of Baka Communications. The Toronto-firm is billing it as the largest solar charging station in Canada that is not run by a government or utility-company entity. It’s also among the largest in North America.
“We also have the largest private fleet of Chevrolet Volts in Canada,” says Baka’s president, John Marion. At the station’s ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 23, eight of the Volts were simultaneously charged, showing off the eight available charging stations, positioned under the carport’s massive 20-kilowatt solar-panel roof.
Marion initiated the project after installing some solar panels at his house. It got him thinking about what he could do in the same green vein at the office.
“Next year, we’re scheduled to do our rooftop project, an 80-kilowatt system,” adds Marion. “When you combine them, they’ll be able to provide 50 per cent of our total electrical needs at this location, including the full charging of all nine cars for 20-kilowatt-per-year driving.”
The electric fleet and the two big solar panels will set the company back about $1 million dollars. Marion obviously feels the investment is justified.
“At the end of the day, I want to promote green … When we’re bidding for work, clients want to know how green you are. We do a lot of green things, like recycling and conservation. Those are the norms. But nobody can come close to what we’re doing. At the same time, it’s got to be in you. It’s in me.”
It’s in Marion so much he wants to make Baka an “evangelist for the environmental movement.” In this regard, Baka is blessed by its location adjacent to the much-travelled 427 Highway — about 275,000 vehicles a day will pass by the firm’s electric carport.
“When you combine them, they’ll be able to provide 50 per cent of our total electrical needs at this location, including the full charging of all nine cars for 20-kilowatt-per-year driving.”
The Sass in question is Sass Peress of Renewz Sustainable Solutions, which built and created Baka’s system. Peress says the station is the first in North America to be based on a combination of Italian structural technology and North American electrical technology.
The company will be introducing a home version in 2013. Also unique will be the ability to reserve a charging station via a mobile device, but only when Baka is ready to give public access to these charging stations.
How will Baka charge public users for charging? Marion said they wouldn’t have to pay. Why no payment I can’t help but ask…
“Because it’s free,” says Marion, pointing to the sky.
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