Completed in 2025 in Edmonton, Canada, the SunRise Residential retrofit has earned global attention as the largest solar panel mural in the world. The project, developed by Maclab Development Group and executed with Mitrex’s eFacade PRO plus technology, transformed a 1970s high-rise into both a functional renewable energy generator and a striking public artwork. Recognised by the Guinness World Records, the installation demonstrates how BIPV can merge aesthetics, cultural expression, and energy performance in large-scale building retrofits.
Project Overview
The SunRise Residential project covers more than 3,200 m² (34,500 ft²) of façade area with building-integrated photovoltaics. The panels, embedded with a vibrant mural, deliver approximately 265 kW of installed capacity. This energy powers the building’s common areas, reducing operational costs and avoiding an estimated 150 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually. The retrofit approach allowed the existing structure to remain in use during the transformation, avoiding the environmental and financial costs of demolition.
Cultural Design and Artwork
A central feature of the project is “The Land We Share”, an artwork created by Indigenous artist Lance Cardinal. The mural blends First Nations and Chinese cultural symbols, celebrating community diversity and heritage. This integration of cultural storytelling with renewable energy infrastructure sets the project apart from typical solar façades, creating a unique landmark visible across Edmonton’s urban skyline.
Technology and Integration
Mitrex’s eFacade PRO plus system was chosen for its ability to integrate PV technology directly into rainscreen cladding. This ensured compatibility with standard installation methods, reduced complexity, and provided weather protection while generating electricity. The system’s flexibility allowed for the creation of a continuous mural without compromising electrical performance, meeting both architectural and energy objectives.
Economic and Environmental Impact
The project is expected to achieve a full return on investment within four years, thanks to annual energy savings estimated at CAD $80,000. Beyond cost savings, the system delivers measurable sustainability benefits by reducing grid dependency and cutting carbon emissions. The retrofit also increased the building’s market appeal and extended its useful life, demonstrating the broader value proposition of BIPV in urban redevelopment.
Key Takeaways
The SunRise Residential project illustrates the potential of BIPV as more than an energy technology — it can be a medium for cultural expression, urban renewal, and economic value creation. Its record-breaking scale proves that façade PV can be deployed on high-rise retrofits without sacrificing aesthetics. As cities seek sustainable and visually engaging ways to decarbonise the building stock, this project offers a powerful example of how art, architecture, and energy can work together.
References
Mitrex Press Release – Mitrex Sets Guinness World Record with Largest BIPV Solar Panel Mural at SunRise ResidentialPR Newswire, July 2025.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mitrex-sets-guinness-world-record-with-largest-bipv-solar-panel-mural-at-sunrise-residential-302499460.html
PV Magazine USA – Collision of art, culture, and solar sets Guinness World Record PV Magazine USA, July 8, 2025.
https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2025/07/08/collision-of-art-culture-and-solar-sets-guinness-world-record
Inspenet – Mitrex transforms skyscraper with world's largest BIPV solar muralInspenet, July 2025.
https://inspenet.com/en/noticias/mitrex-transforms-skyscraper-with-worlds-largest-bipv-solar-mural
Good Good Good – World’s largest solar panel mural transforms Edmonton’s skylineGood Good Good, July 2025.
https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/worlds-largest-solar-power-mural
