World’s largest solar mural turns 34,500 sqft wall into power generator

The SunRise residential building in Alberta, Canada, has set a Guinness World Record for the largest solar panel mural, covering 34,500 square feet and generating 267 kW of solar capacity to power the building’s common areas. This project integrates building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) with vibrant artwork by Indigenous artist Lance Cardinal, honoring First Nations and Chinese cultures. The installation transforms a 1970s high-rise into a sustainable landmark, combining cultural expression with cutting-edge solar technology developed by Toronto-based Mitrex in collaboration with Avenue Living Asset Management, MBC Group, and Chandos Construction. Originally planned as a smaller 60 kW solar system, the project expanded to meet Canada’s Deep Retrofit Accelerator Initiative requirements for at least 50% decarbonization. The innovative BIPV retrofit uses solar cells embedded behind custom artwork on an aluminum honeycomb core, incorporating integrated rainscreen, insulation, and sub-framing systems compatible with existing building workflows. This approach reduced installation complexity