Powering the Peaks: Solar Energy and Smart Heating at Battle Abbey

At Weber Powder, we believe that remote mountain living doesn’t have to come at the cost of sustainability—or comfort. Even in a remote mountain home such as Battle Abbey Backcountry Lodge. 

This season, we’re proud to share a major step forward in our commitment to clean energy: the installation of a new solar array at Battle Abbey Backcountry Lodge. The system now provides a baseline power generation of approximately 3kW, feeding into our 2500 amp-hour battery bank—the heartbeat of the lodge’s off-grid electrical system.

But we didn’t stop at solar. Our hybrid power setup now operates with remarkable efficiency. On average, our generator will now run about three to four hours a day to top up the battery system in winter and even less in summer. Even better, we capture the generator’s waste heat (engine + exhaust) through a custom-built heat exchanger, which then warms a glycol loop that heats the entire lodge—from the floorboards to your après-ski shower. Our battery bank also allows us to reduce the noise generated from our facilities. This means a quiet surrounding at Battle Abbey. 

The result? Hot water on demand the moment you walk in the door from a powder day, with enough capacity to meet the needs of our private chef’s culinary program, full-service kitchen, and every guest’s après-routine. No waiting, no rationing, no compromise.

These upgrades are part of a broader philosophy: that wild places deserve thoughtful stewardship, and that comfort and sustainability can go hand in hand—even deep in the Selkirks.

Looking forward, the team at Weber Powder is working with local officials to permit a small hydro-electric system that will further our sustainability initiatives. From reduced emissions to reliable power, we’re investing in the future of Battle Abbey—and in every skier or summer mountain explorer who calls it home, even for just one visit. 

More to come! 

The team at Weber Powder