Largest Commercial-Industrial Rooftop Solar Installation in BC Makes a Splash in Lavington

Strategic Insights -

The Lavington community came together in celebration on Wednesday, Aug. 6, as Restoration Lands Inc. (RLI) unveiled the province's largest commercial-industrial rooftop solar installation at the Okanagan Eco Industrial Park in Coldstream. The 148,000 square feet solar array, featuring 2,460 high-efficiency solar panels, is expected to produce 1.7 gigawatt-hours of renewable electricity annually, meeting a quarter of the current power needs of the industrial park or powering over 150 homes. This cutting-edge system reflects RLI's commitment to sustainable development and clean energy adoption in British Columbia.

Key Takeaways:

  • The solar installation is the largest commercial-industrial rooftop solar installation in BC, covering an area of 148,000 square feet and featuring 2,460 high-efficiency solar panels.
  • The system is expected to produce 1.7 gigawatt-hours of renewable electricity annually, meeting a quarter of the current power needs of the mixed-use industrial park or powering over 150 homes.
  • Restoration Lands Inc. (RLI) was able to cover almost 40% of their solar installation cost through a custom incentive of almost $875,000.
  • The installation was made possible in part through BC Hydro's Load Displacement Program, which helps reduce demand on the provincial grid by empowering large energy users to generate their own electricity onsite.
  • RLI's Okanagan Eco Industrial Park already has 10 diverse businesses operating onsite, with 17 additional lots ready for development, expected to create or relocate approximately 1,000 jobs.
  • BC Hydro is significantly enabling customers to take on energy-saving tools, technologies, programs, and rebates through its $700 million Energy Efficiency Plan.
  • The project marks a major milestone in sustainable industrial development and clean energy adoption in B.C., as part of a broader shift toward scalable, resilient clean energy solutions across British Columbia.
  • RLI is considering a second phase of the project, which could double the current solar capacity and incorporate battery storage solutions, further strengthening reliability and boosting on-site power generation.

Statistics:

  • The solar array is as big as two football fields.
  • The system is expected to produce 1.7 gigawatt-hours of renewable electricity annually.
  • The solar installation covers an area of 148,000 square feet.
  • The incentives through BC Hydro's Load Displacement Program equated to almost $875,000, covering almost 40% of RLI's solar installation cost.
  • The industrial park is expected to create or relocate approximately 1,000 jobs.
  • BC Hydro's $700 million Energy Efficiency Plan is expected to deliver 2,000 gigawatt hours in electricity savings.

Sources:

  • Vernon Morning Star, August 6, 2025
  • Restoration Lands Inc. (RLI)
  • BC Hydro