Ameresco, Inc., (NYSE: AMRC), a leading cleantech integrator specializing in energy efficiency and renewable energy, announced the launch of the SOLSTICE microgrid project, a transformative renewable energy initiative developed in collaboration with the City of Edmundston and in partnership with Edmundston Energy. This project will supply the city with reliable, sustainable energy, reduce its carbon footprint, and support local economic growth. As the largest rooftop solar installation in the Atlantic region, SOLSTICE features a 1 MW solar capacity combined with a 2 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS), specifically designed to enhance grid resilience and meet peak energy demands.
The SOLSTICE microgrid, aptly named to celebrate the abundance of solar energy, will be installed on the roofs of the Jean-Daigle Centre and the Sports Pavilion. With construction underway, the project supports Edmundston’s 2024-2028 Environmental Action Plan and strengthens its leadership in the Atlantic region’s sustainable energy efforts. Once operational, the microgrid is designed to offset approximately 360 metric tons of CO2 annually and ensure backup power to essential community facilities like the Sports Pavilion, which serves as an emergency response center.
“This project involves and will greatly impact the community. Many local entrepreneurs have been hired to work on the project, which will be a learning incubator for students from the Cité-des-jeunes A.-M.-Sormany, UMCE and CCNB programs,” explained the Mayor of the City of Edmundston Eric Marquis. “We are very grateful to our provincial and federal partners for their contribution and their constant collaboration, which allows us to take this step in a very important project for the City of Edmundston.”
“The SOLSTICE project demonstrates how critical solar and battery energy storage solutions are for strengthening grid resilience and advancing clean energy,” said Bob McCullough, President of Ameresco Canada. “As cities worldwide work to transition to sustainable energy, projects like this showcase how innovative solutions can provide reliable, clean power to meet today’s demands and secure a sustainable future for communities everywhere.”
Valued at $8 million, SOLSTICE integrates seamlessly with the city’s energy management systems, reducing dependence on traditional power sources and providing capacity to manage peak demands. This project also brings local economic benefits by creating jobs and building renewable energy expertise within the community, fostering both environmental and economic sustainability.
“Work began earlier this year to ensure that the roofs of the Jean-Daigle Centre and the Sports Pavilion were reinforced for the installation of the panels. Work is also being carried out in the Jean-Daigle Centre parking lot to allow the installation of the battery energy storage system,” explained Kevin Kilfoil, Coordinator, Transmission and Distribution for Edmundston Energy.
Residents can follow SOLSTICE’s progress via updates on the Edmundston Energy section of the city’s website as the project advances toward its planned operational launch in summer 2025. Ameresco and the City of Edmundston look forward to SOLSTICE’s lasting impact, showcasing a future-proof energy model that will set a sustainable example for communities in the region.
