Hakai Energy Solutions’ Award-Winning Residential Project Brings High-Performance Solar to Coastal British Columbia
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.
