B.C. has unveiled its largest commercial-industrial rooftop solar project, shining a new light on clean energy in Coldstream. The installation, launched on Aug. 6, demonstrates how sustainable industrial growth and renewable power can work together.
Despite a steady drizzle in Lavington, the excitement of presenters and attendees was high as family-owned Restoration Lands Inc. (RLI), supported by BC Hydro, introduced the 148,000-square-foot solar array at the Okanagan Eco Industrial Park. The site, once home to the Lavington Glass Plant, now hosts a cutting-edge renewable energy system.
“This is about more than generating electricity,” said Vernon-Lumby MLA Harwinder Sandhu, representing B.C. Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions Adrian Dix. “It shows that clean energy can drive economic growth, create jobs, and strengthen communities while caring for the environment.”
The massive solar installation spans the equivalent of two football fields and includes 2,460 high-efficiency solar panels. It is expected to produce 1.7 gigawatt-hours of renewable electricity each year, enough to power a quarter of the industrial park or more than 150 homes.
Michael Molnar, CEO and founder of RLI, emphasized the project’s long-term vision. “By converting our unused rooftop space into a renewable energy source, we are building a more resilient and sustainable future for Coldstream,” he said. Molnar noted this marks “year nine of a five-year plan” since acquiring the property in 2016, highlighting the long-term commitment to industrial innovation and sustainability.
The Okanagan Eco Industrial Park currently houses 10 businesses, including engineering, modular construction, and agritech companies. With 17 additional lots ready for development, RLI expects to create or relocate about 1,000 jobs on-site, supporting local economic growth.
BC Hydro played a key role through its Load Displacement Program, which encourages large energy users to produce electricity onsite, reducing strain on the provincial grid. RLI received nearly $875,000 in incentives, covering almost 40% of the solar project’s cost.
Charlotte Mitha, BC Hydro’s new president and CEO, also attended the announcement. She highlighted the project’s broader significance: “Coldstream is leading the way for scalable clean energy solutions across British Columbia. Innovative investments like this can reshape the industrial sector.”
Molnar revealed that RLI is exploring a second project phase that could double the solar capacity and add battery storage, further enhancing reliability and energy independence at the site.
This initiative aligns with BC Hydro’s ongoing clean energy efforts. Through its $700 million Energy Efficiency Plan, the utility provides programs, tools, and rebates designed to reduce emissions and increase energy savings. These initiatives aim to save 2,000 gigawatt-hours of electricity and help customers manage energy more efficiently while lowering costs.
The Coldstream solar project is a milestone for B.C.’s clean energy transition. By combining industrial growth with renewable energy, it provides a blueprint for sustainable development, economic revitalization, and environmental responsibility.
