Espace Solaire: A New 100% Solar Park in Montreal
7 hours ago
3 min read
Quebec's first fully solar-powered public area is opening at Montreal's Olympic Park, and the wiring is not hidden—that's the whole idea. The midday sunlight does not simply warm the concrete at Olympic Park; instead, it is first gathered and then passes through a cover of solar panels before reaching a bench.
Espace Solaire. Photography by Valérie Paquette
Espace solaire is a brand-new permanent exhibit at Montreal's Olympic Park, having been presented here last summer by the design studio Aire Commune. It is the first outdoor public space in Quebec to be entirely powered by solar energy and has been constructed in cooperation with the energy specialist Sunbird Énergie; the idea is simple: rather than treating solar equipment as if it were plumbing, display it instead.
The site is at the point where urban design, landscape architecture and energy engineering come together. There are shaded buildings, furniture that has been incorporated and workspaces with Wi-Fi facilities along with electrical outlets, all of which are combined with landscaping. It is a plaza that can be used for a laptop meeting at ten in the morning and for a picnic at six in the evening.
Most public installations hide their energy systems either underground or behind a fence. Espace solaire doesn't accept that approach. The panels are left in full sight, inclined towards the sky and at the same time provide shade and make a statement.
Espace Solaire. Photography by Patrick Beaudry Espace Solaire. Photography by Patrick Beaudry
The system designed by Sunbird Énergie operated under calm conditions, combining solar generation, battery storage and intelligent power management so that the site's outlets, lighting and Wi-Fi could function throughout the day.
The infrastructure was not added afterwards; it was included in the design brief right from the start and was considered as a single system together with furniture, vegetation, shade and lighting, rather than having a completed plaza with the wiring being added later.
“Espace solaire embodies our vision of creating meaningful, sustainable and accessible public spaces. By fully integrating solar energy into the design, we are demonstrating that innovation, conviviality and the energy transition can go hand in hand” - Philippe Pelletier, co-founder of Aire Commune.
Simon Lafleur, the founder and president of Sunbird Énergie, presents the project in the form of a proof of concept rather than as a showpiece.
“Espace solaire at Olympic Park represented a great opportunity for us to demonstrate, on a smaller scale, the important role infrastructure will need to play in the energy transition. More than a showcase for technology, this project provides a tangible example of how on-site solar generation, energy storage and intelligent power management can help support the province’s energy transition” - Simon Lafleur, founder and president of Sunbird Énergie.
Espace Solaire. Photography by Constance de Driésen Espace Solaire. Photography by Valérie Paquette Espace Solaire. Photography by Constance de Driésen
Olympic Park is one of the most well-known architectural landmarks in Quebec. The Espace solaire is simply another part of the ongoing project which involves turning the site into a public park to welcome visitors all year round, not just on the days of the events.
“With the arrival of Espace solaire, our public urban park continues to evolve to better meet the changing needs of our visitors and contribute to the vitality of the area. This permanent outdoor installation perfectly reflects our vision for the future of Olympic Park: a vibrant and accessible destination featuring sustainable design that enhances the visitor experienc” - Joëlle Brodeur, President and CEO of Olympic Park.
Solar energy is being rapidly expanded all over the world, whereas Quebec still has considerable potential for growth. Espace solaire is a human-scale solution to this gap—it is a working example of what a public space that is energy autonomous could be like, and it has been designed for the duration of a lunch break rather than for a utility yard.
The light is first picked up by the panels, and then the people below receive the remainder. In that way, it turns out to be the better arrangement.
Espace Solaire. Photography by Constance de Driésen Espace Solaire. Photography by Constance de Driésen Espace Solaire. Photography by Constance de Driésen Espace Solaire. Photography by Constance de Driésen Espace Solaire. Photography by Valérie Paquette Espace Solaire. Photography by Valérie Paquette
