BROADWAY THEATRE
A $67K set of solar panels will be installed next week at the historic venue.
Kirby Wirchenko hopes to save money and set an example with the historic Broadway Theatre’s planned move this month to solar power.
Wirchenko, the community-owned theatre’s executive director, is preparing for a $67,000 set of solar panels to be installed next week. It’s expected to provide 40 to 45 per cent of the venue’s energy needs for the next 30 years or so.
The 68-year-old theatre’s board attracted corporate partners to help pay for the 22-kilowatt system, believed to be the second biggest in Saskatoon after the 24-kilowatt system that helps power the University of Saskatchewan’s horticultural facility.
For Wirchenko, the initiative underlines the long-term viability of the theatre and ideally will demonstrate to Saskatoon homeowners that converting to solar power is not some impractical, hyperexpensive venture.
“We’ve made a sustainable decision that will help us be more financially stable,” Wirchenko said.
“I really hope we can be inspirational to people to make decisions. Certainly, it’s the right project at the right time.”
Wirchenko is clearly a believer in both the future of the Broadway Theatre and sustainable energy.
The installation of 45 to 50 photovoltaic solar panels to capture the sun’s energy represents the third major sustainable energy project of 2014 for the venerable theatre, and it came together relatively quickly from talks that began in the spring.
Key investors included Affinity Credit Union, sustainable energy providers Bullfrog Power and arts-Vest, a Canadian Heritage program that provides matching funds for projects. A Sask-Power rebate program that covers 20 per cent of the cost of solar power systems also helped. Mi Energy Saskatchewan is set to install the system.
As part of the solar conversion, the Broadway also had a $20,000 “white roof ” installed in October by Roots Rock Renewable. It consists of a ceramic-based waterproof spray-on membrane on the 7,000-square-foot roof that will help reflect a little more sun toward the solar panels.
More importantly, it will help keep the building cool, saving electricity and money spent to run air conditioners in the summer.
A live video monitoring system is planned for the lobby so patrons can see how much energy the panels are producing.
“I certainly thought there was a really good fit there,” said Ward 6 Coun. Charlie Clark, who first suggested the Broadway as a potential community sustainable energy project.
The idea began with conversations among several Nutana residents about a project funded by community investors. Clark said he believes residents want to see “tangible” solar projects that work rather than just reports from city hall.
“To me, we would be foolish not to explore it further,” Clark said. “We have to wean ourselves off coal power in Saskatchewan.
“There certainly are jurisdictions that are further ahead than us.”
In January, the Broadway converted its iconic neon sign to LED lights that mimic neon but use 80 per cent less energy. A new $70,000 stage lighting system installed this summer doubled the number of lights but will use 40 per cent less energy since the lights are LED. The lights will also produce substantially less heat, which will also reduce air conditioning use and costs.
“Environmental choices are financial choices,” Wirchenko said, quoting Canadian environmental icon David Suzuki.
FRIDAY’S SP
Phil Tank of The StarPhoenix takes a closer look at solar power in Saskatoon. As solar panels fall in price, is our sunny city set to take advantage?