Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) yesterday unveiled the completion of its first-ever solar carport in the Caribbean at its East Hill Street corporate office in The Bahamas.

The Canadian-owned bank, in a statement, said the project signals its commitment to sustainability, renewable energy and net-zero leadership with an open parking area transformed into a solar carport in six months. Designed to generate solar energy while providing shade for vehicles, the carport will help meet the energy needs of RBC’s Bahamas head office.

RBC said it partnered with Bahamian-owned Compass Solar Systems, which provided engineering, procurement and construction services for the project.

“This solar carport reflects our unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship,” said Chris Duggan, RBC’s head of Caribbean banking. “This initiative reinforces RBC’s dedication to advancing net- zero leadership in our operations while reducing the environmental impact of our activities. We look forward to exploring more green initiatives that support our vision of a sustainable future across the Caribbean.”

The solar carport features a 104 kilowatt (kW) solar array comprising 259 solar panels. This system is capable of producing up to 163,500 kWh (kilowatt hours) annually, offsetting RBC’s electrical consumption by approximately 15 percent. The panels are engineered to withstand wind speeds of up to 200 miles per hour, which RBC said exceeds Bahamian regulatory requirements.

Marc Jardine, who heads RBC Caribbean’s environmental, social and governance committee, said: “This initiative represents a sound financial investment and a pivotal step towards a more sustainable future. Our energy system has been designed to efficiently meet both current and future energy demands, showcasing the potential of integrating technology and environmental responsibility.”