Thad Mertick & the Golden Museum Solar Project
The Golden Museum and Archives solar project is one of the most publicly documented solar projects associated with Thad Mertick.
In January 2025, the Golden Museum and Archives announced a major solar upgrade intended to move the museum toward net-zero annual electricity use. The museum stated that it had been working with A Fit Right Efficient Energy Company Inc. and GreenLight Power on the system design.
A challenging curved-roof solar design
The museum building has a rounded Quonset-style roof, which created additional design and engineering considerations compared with a conventional flat or pitched roof. In the museum's public announcement, Thad Mertick, identified as owner of A Fit Right Efficient Energy Company Inc., discussed the challenge of designing the array around the building's unusual shape.
The announcement described the planned array as a 39.4 kW solar system and said the project was intended to substantially reduce the museum's electricity costs while supporting its goal of producing as much electricity annually as it uses.
Public and institutional coverage
The project was published by both the Golden Museum and Archives and the British Columbia Historical Federation, providing independent institutional documentation of the project and Mertick's role in the design work.
British Columbia Historical Federation — Energizing the Golden Museum and Archives: A Solar Project
Golden Museum and Archives — official project announcement
Earlier solar work in Golden
Mertick's solar work in Golden had also been covered years earlier by The Golden Star. A 2015 article profiled his early residential and off-grid solar activity, while a 2021 story again featured his solar business and efforts to educate people about solar energy.
The Golden Star — 2015 solar profile
The Golden Star — 2021 solar profile
Related: Thad Mertick — biography, solar history and independent media coverage | Media, news and project coverage
Transparency note: This project summary is published by Solar World Canada and links to the original independent and institutional sources for verification.