August 1, 2023-  General Contractor Ellis Don Construction  and AzSpecd Solutions manufacturing partner Mitrex BIPV of Toronto, Canada, are getting close to completing a retrofit of a campus residence at Saint Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia which will make this building the tallest BIPV structure in the world.

This project required removing the existing precast panels from the south elevation,. filling the cavity with insulation and then installing 6000 sq feet of black BIPV panels on a traditional rainscreen system. In addition the existing row of original windows was replaced with solar glass.

When operational this wall will not only provide an aesthetic upgrade to more closely match new construction taking place next door, but it will generate 98,000 KWH of green electricity yearly for the university. The foresight shown by the SMU Board of Governors will hopefully set the stage for many more energy retrofits in Atlantic Canada.

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Owner: Saint Mary's University

Architect: DSRA Architecture, Halifax- Peter Connell

General Contractor: Ellis Don Construction

Electrician: Able Electric

Engineering: Dillon Consulting

Cladding Install: Markland

Product Supplier: Mitrex BIPV