At its headquarters in Calgary, Alberta, Solar YYC has created more than just a renewable energy system. The company’s award-winning commercial project demonstrates how solar can serve as both a high-performing energy solution and an architectural feature. Winner in the Commercial category of the 2025 APsystems Canadian Project of the Year Awards, the Solar YYC Headquarters Project transforms the company’s office into a living example of clean energy in action.

The 16 kW DC solar awning features 40 south-facing modules that generate renewable electricity while enhancing the building’s appearance and functionality. Beyond offsetting office energy consumption, the system provides window shading and improved occupant comfort, creating a striking visual centerpiece that demonstrates how solar technology can be seamlessly integrated into commercial design.

For Solar YYC, the project was an opportunity to lead by example.

“In 2025, Solar YYC brought solar energy home by transforming our Calgary headquarters into a living example of clean energy in action,” the company shared in its project submission. “We wanted to lead by example and show that sustainability can be both functional and beautiful.”

Designed, engineered, and installed entirely by Solar YYC’s in-house team, the project reflects the craftsmanship, collaboration, and attention to detail that define the company’s approach to solar installations. Every aspect of the solar awning was carefully planned to balance energy production, aesthetics, and long-term performance.

APsystems QT2-208 microinverters played an important role in helping the project achieve those goals.

“Solar YYC used APsystems QT2-208 microinverters for their solar awning project located at their main office,” the company explained. “The size limitations of three-phase string inverters made the QT2 a perfect solution for this smaller array.”

The QT2 architecture also helped maximize production across the installation while providing a practical demonstration of microinverter technology for customers visiting the Solar YYC office.

“It allows for optimal performance for the modules located on the west side of the building,” Solar YYC noted. “By having the QT2s visible while walking underneath the solar awning, it gives clients the opportunity to see a microinverter system in action.”

That educational component has become one of the project’s most unique features. As customers visit Solar YYC’s headquarters, they can see firsthand how a microinverter-based solar system operates while experiencing the aesthetic and functional benefits of the solar awning itself.

The project serves as a tangible representation of Solar YYC’s commitment to renewable energy and the communities it serves. More than an office improvement, the headquarters installation demonstrates how thoughtful solar design can enhance commercial buildings while delivering clean energy and long-term value.

By combining innovative design, in-house expertise, and APsystems microinverter technology, Solar YYC’s Headquarters Project highlights what is possible when sustainability, performance, and architecture come together in a single installation.

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On the coast of Vancouver Island, Hakai Energy Solutions is showing how careful planning and high-quality equipment can turn a complex rooftop into a high-performing residential solar installation. Their project in Lantzville, British Columbia earned recognition in the Residential category in the annual APsystems Project of the Year Awards.

The system was designed for a large coastal home with a challenging multi-faceted roof, requiring precise array layout and detailed electrical planning to maximize solar production across multiple pitches and orientations. The completed installation includes 70 Longi LR7 450W modules, totaling 31.5 kWdc, paired with 36 APsystems DS3-L microinverters delivering 26.88 kWac. The result is a clean, organized installation built to provide reliable, high-efficiency energy generation in a demanding coastal environment.

The project began with a homeowner seeking a high-capacity solar solution to reduce grid reliance at their Lantzville property. Although the home’s roof presented design challenges, an initial site assessment revealed strong solar potential. Hakai responded with a customized system layout engineered to capture production across varying roof facets while maintaining a polished final appearance. The project also built on an existing client relationship, as Hakai had previously completed a residential solar installation for the same homeowner at another property, also using APsystems microinverters.

For Hakai, APsystems technology played an important role in making the project successful.

“APsystems DS3-L microinverters made it possible to handle multiple pitches and azimuths without production losses, thanks to module-level optimization and independent operation,” said Dawson Erskine, Marketing and Outreach Coordinator at Hakai Energy Solutions. “The integrated rapid shutdown capability removed the need for separate RSD hardware, reducing rooftop equipment and streamlining installation.”

That streamlined design carried through to the electrical room as well. Hakai noted that the AC architecture simplified wiring and allowed all circuits to be combined into a dedicated solar-only panel, improving organization, serviceability, and overall system performance.

Erskine also pointed to the broader advantages of the DS3 platform in residential applications.

“The APsystems DS3 series is a robust, easy-to-install microinverter product line,” he said. “Using dual-module architecture reduces installation time and overall system costs. The output and power conversion efficiency of the DS3 pairs well with a wide range of module capacities, and the EMA software provides a straightforward way for homeowners to access module and system-level performance.”

That visibility has translated into strong customer satisfaction. According to Hakai, end users consistently report high satisfaction with the performance of their solar systems, with module-level monitoring being especially valued for the clear insight it provides into the performance of each panel. The intuitive monitoring interface also makes it easy for homeowners to track production and system health over time.

Support has been another differentiator in Hakai’s experience with APsystems.

“Support from APsystems is consistently accessible and responsive,” Erskine added. “Over the past few years, both the products and the service have shown notable improvements, enhancing overall reliability and ease of use in solar projects.”

Hakai Energy Solutions serves residential, commercial, municipal, and off-grid markets, and the Lantzville project reflects the company’s commitment to tailored engineering and quality workmanship across every installation. By combining detailed design, clean execution, and module-level optimization, the project demonstrates how residential solar can deliver both strong performance and long-term value, even on complex coastal rooftops.

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This year, APsystems proudly introduced a new category to the Canadian Installation Awards: Multi-Family. Calgary-based Solar YYC Inc., founded and led by President Alex Tyndale, set the standard by earning recognition for their 315kW (DC) system spanning four residential buildings in Copperfield Park II.

The project’s primary objective was straightforward but impactful: offset the common loads of the development, including parkades, hallway lighting, block heater plug-ins, and exterior lighting. That goal was fully achieved, delivering meaningful reductions to shared operating costs while proving that solar can scale effectively in multi-family settings.

For Tyndale, who founded Solar YYC eight years ago, with a focus on 75% residential and 25% commercial/agricultural projects, the Copperfield Park system reflects the company’s ability to design solutions that balance performance with simplicity.

APsystems microinverters were central to the project’s success. With arrays spread across many roof faces and orientations, the technology provided seamless answers to both rapid shutdown (RSD) requirements and module-level power electronics (MLPE) needs. “APsystems solved the rapid shutdown and MLPE needs across many roof faces,” said Tyndale. “It’s plug-and-play without sacrificing quality, and delivers real savings to residents.”

The installation process itself was described as “plug and play” – simple, fast, and reliable – without compromising on quality. The built-in functionality of APsystems microinverters, including MLPE and RSD, eliminated the need for additional components and streamlined system deployment.

Performance has been equally impressive. “APS does what it says, in terms of production,” Tyndale noted. “An equivalent string system will almost always produce less than APS and, in effect, be much more dangerous.” For Solar YYC, APsystems stands apart thanks to its reliability, high-quality standards, and responsive support, all delivered at a competitive cost.

Community reception has been positive, particularly as residents benefit from the ongoing energy savings the system provides. In fact, Solar YYC reports that some clients now specifically request not to use string or optimized systems, preferring the safety and streamlined design of APsystems microinverters.

From Calgary’s Copperfield Park II to the broader Canadian solar industry, Solar YYC’s award-winning project demonstrates how thoughtful design, reliable technology, and a clear focus on resident value can redefine what’s possible for multi-family solar.

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