The power of sun captured at Hill Pool

With support from a grant from the Government of Alberta delivered by the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre’s (MCCAC) Municipal Electricity Generation Program, the City of Medicine Hat installed a small solar array on the new shade structure at Hill Pool.

Through the fall of 2024 to spring 2025, upgrades to Hill Pool included improvements to change room facilities, a new accessible washroom, crack repairs, painting, mechanical enhancements, and a new shade structure above the bleachers on deck. The shade structure was engineered so that solar panels can easily attach to the top side.

“We were already planning the Hill Pool project when the MCCAC announced the grant, so it was a timely opportunity to add solar to our existing scope of work. The shade structure was then engineered to withstand the additional weight of the solar panels,” stated Kevin Schaaf, Superintendent of Facility Project Management. “The electricity generated will help us offset year-long utility costs even when the building is closed for the season.” 

There are 24 solar panels in total which will generate 12,423 kilowatt-hours of electricity, or about 20 per cent of Hill Pool’s annual electrical consumption.

The grant provided $7,560, approximately 20 per cent of the installation cost.

The Municipal Climate Change Action Centre is a partnership of Alberta Municipalities, the Rural Municipalities of Alberta, and the Government of Alberta. Funding for the Municipal Electricity Generation Program was provided by the Government of Alberta. 

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