Green The Grid
Solar energy continues to gain momentum across New Brunswick as organizations look for practical ways to reduce energy costs, improve sustainability, and lower their environmental impact. In recent months, three new solar photovoltaic installations at institutional and healthcare facilities have been delivered—or are nearing completion—adding more than 300 kW of renewable generation capacity to the province’s energy landscape.
These projects reflect the growing adoption of clean energy infrastructure throughout New Brunswick and demonstrate how solar technology can be successfully integrated into a wide range of operating environments. As demand for renewable energy solutions continues to increase, solar installations are helping organizations reduce carbon emissions, strengthen energy resilience, and contribute to a more sustainable future.
FCC Construction is proud to support this transition by providing the expertise required to design, install, and integrate solar generation systems that meet the unique needs of clients across the province.
Solar installations like these are becoming an increasingly important part of the energy landscape in New Brunswick. At FCC Construction, we are proud to be helping our clients implement practical renewable solutions that reduce operating costs, lower carbon emissions, and contribute to a more sustainable energy future.
University of New Brunswick – Fredericton Campus
FCC Construction recently completed an 80 kWDC self-ballasted rooftop solar installation on the Kinesiology Building at the University of New Brunswick’s Fredericton campus. The project was awarded through a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process. Installed on the building’s flat roof, the system consists of 132 high-efficiency photovoltaic modules mounted using a ballasted racking system that avoids roof penetrations while maintaining structural integrity. The array is connected through string inverter technology and operates as a net-metered system, allowing excess production to be credited against the building’s electrical consumption.
The 80kW system is expected to generate approximately 95,000– 100,000 kWh of electricity annually, enough to power roughly 10 to 12 average homes each year while offsetting approximately 40 tonnes of carbon emissions annually. This installation represents FCC’s third in-service rooftop solar system installed in partnership with the UNB Fredericton campus Capital Planning and Operations group.
Solar – University of New Brunswick
Tracadie-Sheila Hospital: Behind-the-Meter Solar Innovation
FCC Construction is also completing a 110 kWDC fixed-tilt ground mounted solar installation at Tracadie-Sheila Hospital for Service New Brunswick (SNB). The system is composed of nine ground-mounted tables, each supporting 20 high-efficiency 615-watt modules, installed at a 45-degree tilt to optimize solar production during New Brunswick’s winter months. The array utilizes string inverter technology and is configured as a behind the meter solar system.
NB Power currently limits solar generation to 100 kW per electrical meter when exporting power to the grid. To address this limitation, the Tracadie installation incorporates an advanced MODBUS-based control and monitoring system that continuously tracks the hospital’s electrical demand. This control system dynamically adjusts the solar inverter output so that solar generation never exceeds the building’s real-time electrical load.
By matching solar production directly to facility consumption, the system ensures that all energy produced is used internally within the hospital and none is exported to the grid. This approach allows larger solar systems to be installed while remaining fully compliant with NB Power’s interconnection requirements, creating new opportunities for institutions to expand renewable energy adoption.
At full production, the system will generate approximately 130,000– 140,000 kWh annually, equivalent to the electrical consumption of about 15 homes, while offsetting approximately 55 tonnes of CO₂ each year.
Solar – Tracadie Hospital
Sussex Hospital: Replicating a Successful Model
Building on the success of the Tracadie project, FCC Construction is completing a second 110 kWDC ground-mounted solar installation at Sussex Hospital, also for Service New Brunswick. This installation follows the same design principles, utilizing nine fixed-tilt solar tables with 20 modules per table, again using 615-watt panels and string inverter technology. Due to site conditions and layout considerations, the Sussex system is installed at a 35-degree tilt.
Like the Tracadie installation, the Sussex array is integrated with the same behind-the-meter control strategy, ensuring solar generation aligns with the hospital’s internal electrical demand and remains compliant with NB Power’s 100 kW export limitation. Together, the Tracadie and Sussex installations provide 220 kW of solar generation capacity dedicated to healthcare infrastructure, reducing operating costs while contributing to provincial sustainability goals.
Looking Ahead: Solar for the City of Fredericton
In the spring, a City of Fredericton project was started, installing two new 46 kWDC rooftop solar systems. These installations will serve two municipal outdoor pool facilities and will operate as net-metered systems. Each solar array is designed to offset the full annual electrical consumption of the pool facilities, effectively making both sites net-zero electrical energy users. These projects represent FCC’s first municipal solar installations, adding to a renewable portfolio that now includes projects at the federal, provincial, institutional, healthcare, and municipal levels.
“As organizations continue to pursue cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions, FCC Construction remains well positioned to provide the technical expertise, field experience,
and project leadership required to bring these projects to life.”
Strong Partnerships Deliver Strong Results
Projects of this scale require close collaboration between owners, consultants, contractors, and supporting trades. FCC Construction would like to recognize the outstanding cooperation from the teams at UNB Fredericton, Tracadie-Sheila Hospital, and Sussex Hospital, as well as the contributions of our many sub-trade partners and the engineering support provided by MCW Maricor.
Their professionalism and teamwork were instrumental in delivering these projects safely, efficiently, and to a high standard of quality.
Ready to design or build? Start the conversation with our expert team.
OSCO Construction Group | 📞 (877) 320‑1138
