Legacy wins Game Changer Award for Roof-Mounted Solar Panels
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Adaptable and resilient, Legacy Building Solutions’ custom-engineered structure is key element in award-winning design
Edmonton, AB – Legacy Building Solutions is proud to announce the Solar Ship Brantford off-grid hangar, a joint venture with Canadian Energy and Solar Ship Inc., has been awarded the “Game Changer Project of the Year” by Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA). With the award for Solar PV Project, CanSIA recognizes the hangar for using a reliable and cost-effective system that advances the future of building-integrated distributed generation.
Located in Brantford, Ontario, the 40,597-square-foot hangar uses energy generated by photovoltaic cells on the roof and runs completely independently of the traditional power grid. The hangar is designed to accommodate the size and shape of the aircraft, which have an anticipated wingspan of up to 164 feet.
“All Legacy buildings have some sustainability features,” said Jim Kumpula, general manager of Legacy Building Solutions of Canada. “Working with Solar Ship forced us to consider how every aspect of the building can be greener.”
The hangar, engineered, manufactured and installed by Legacy, is a fabric structure on a rigid steel frame. The strength of the frame combined with the lightweight fabric enabled the 176-foot by 231-foot building to be built 60 feet high at the eaves, with an interior clearance of 82 feet.
The sturdy steel frame supports the weight of the photovoltaic cells as well as 1.18 kPa roof rain-on-snow load. The roof frames run parallel to the cells, preventing uplift in high winds and contributing to optimal operation of the solar panels. The energy-efficient design of the hangar also includes a passive ventilation system and natural light to reduce the power needed to run the hangar, which is used to manufacture and store Solar Ship’s solar-powered aircraft.
Lewis Reford, a partner at Solar Ship, said, “Legacy Building Solutions has given Solar Ship more than just a state-of-the-art hangar and assembly building. Through our close collaboration, their design incorporates a self-reliant photovoltaic power package that sits above the fabric roof, allowing our building operations to be entirely off-grid. In addition, Legacy’s foundation design allowed us to re-use an existing concrete pad, saving us time and money during construction. These innovations were part of our top-level requirements, and delivering on them really sets Legacy apart from the traditional building segment.”
About CanSIA
CanSIA is a national trade association that represents the interest of the Canadian solar energy industry. The Solar PV Project of the Year is awarded to the Institutional, Commercial or Industrial (ICI) solar PV project that, either through high visibility, meaningful stakeholder engagement or innovative features, has helped the solar PV industry become mainstream.
For More Information
When you need a team with the ability to complete your large-scale custom fabric structure from start to finish, turn to Legacy Building Solutions. Our team handles every facet of your project, including design, manufacturing, engineering and installation. Whether you work in mining, agriculture, energy, aviation or any other industry, we can provide you with a structure that meets the exact needs of your application. Legacy’s ISO 9001:2015 and CSA A660-10 certifications reflect our commitment to quality construction for every project. We serve customers worldwide, so don’t hesitate to reach out to our team to speak about your project. Contact us today to get in touch with someone from Legacy.
Solar-Powered Hangars: Frequently Asked Questions
An off-grid aircraft hangar is a building that operates independently from the traditional power grid. Instead of relying on utility electricity, it generates its own energy through renewable sources such as photovoltaic (solar) panels. The Solar Ship Brantford hangar in Ontario produces power from solar cells mounted on the roof, allowing the facility to operate entirely off-grid while supporting aircraft manufacturing and storage.
Solar panels installed on large aviation buildings convert sunlight into electricity through photovoltaic (PV) cells. In the Solar Ship Brantford hangar, the rigid steel frame supports the weight of the PV system while the roof structure is designed to prevent wind uplift and maintain optimal panel performance. This integrated design allows the building to generate reliable renewable energy while maintaining structural strength and durability.
Modern solar-powered hangars can include several sustainability features to improve energy efficiency and reduce operational costs. These may include photovoltaic solar panels, passive ventilation systems, natural daylighting, energy-efficient structural design, and the ability to reuse existing foundations or site infrastructure. Together, these features help reduce energy consumption and support fully off-grid operations.
Fabric structures supported by rigid steel frames are ideal for large aviation facilities because they provide wide clearspan interiors, lightweight roof systems, and strong structural support. This design allows large hangars to accommodate aircraft with significant wingspans while supporting solar panels and environmental loads such as wind, snow, and rain-on-snow conditions. The combination of durability and energy efficiency makes them well suited for sustainable aviation infrastructure.
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