Monday, April 28, 2025
This summer, the sun won’t just warm the Olympic Park, it’ll power it!
Aire Commune is preparing to develop Espace Solaire: the first public square in Quebec powered entirely by solar energy. This new space will offer benches and work areas with high-speed Wi-Fi and electrical outlets, integrated into a carefully landscaped area. A place designed for working outdoors and relaxing, thanks to smart and sustainable infrastructure—to enjoy the summer with a conscience as green as the summer foliage.
“The Solar Space is a place where innovation and boldness come together to create a unique and sustainable environment, both for the citizens of Montreal’s east end and for visitors. With this project, we are transforming the Olympic Park into an inspiring place where Montrealers can work, relax and thrive. I am very proud to award the sum of $800,000 from the East Measure; an investment that demonstrates, once again, its major leverage effect,” said Christine Fréchette , Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy, Minister responsible for Regional Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Metropolis and the Montreal Region.
The Olympic Stadium Roof Replacement project is No. 82 on ReNew Canada’s 2025 Top100 Projects report.
“With the arrival of the Solar Space, our public urban park continues its transformation to better meet the contemporary needs of our visitors and contribute to the sector’s excitement. This permanent outdoor installation perfectly illustrates our vision for the future of the Olympic Park: a vibrant, accessible place with sustainable development to benefit the visitor experience,” said Joëlle Brodeur , president and CEO, Olympic Park.
This solar-powered street furniture project is part of the $23 million financial assistance measure to revitalize Montreal’s east end. A concrete and structuring proposal, the Solar Space will promote the attractiveness and vitality of the area by having a tangible impact on improving its living environments. Conceived by Aire Commune, this initiative aimed at workers, residents, and visitors is supported by the Government of Quebec in collaboration with the Olympic Park and Sunbird Energy.
“The Olympic Park Solar Space marks a key milestone for Aire Commune: our first permanent public space in Montreal. This project embodies our vision of developing structuring, sustainable, and accessible spaces. By fully integrating solar energy into the design, we are demonstrating that it is possible to combine innovation, conviviality, and energy transition,” said Philippe Pelletier, co-founder of Aire Commune.
The Solar Space represents an expansion of the Îlots d’été outdoor workspace network in Montreal’s east end—an opportunity for the sector to connect with this signature project that has proven itself. Deployed in more than ten boroughs, this network can include up to forty locations across the city, attracting more than 300,000 visitors and generating over $3.5 million in economic benefits since 2021.
“The Olympic Park Solar Space project was a great opportunity for us to demonstrate, on a small scale, the important role that infrastructure will have to play in the energy transition. More than a technological showcase, this project concretely illustrates how solar self-production, energy storage and intelligent power management can support the province’s energy transition efforts,” said Simon Lafleur, founder and president of Sunbird Energy.
Featured image: (Parc Olympique)
This is the kind of project that makes solar feel real to people. Not a rooftop they never see—but something they can sit in, plug into, and enjoy. It’s small scale, but the impact is real. A public space that runs fully on solar shows how far tech has come and how accessible it’s getting.
Glad to see Quebec putting real money ($800K) into infrastructure that mixes comfort and sustainability. Also a good reminder that solar isn’t just about kilowatt-hours—it’s about improving daily life.
If it works here, expect more cities to follow. Let’s just hope maintenance and long-term usability were part of the design plan—not just the launch-day photos.