Northern Development first connected with Open Waters Solar in 2019 when CEO Simon Angus applied for a $50,000 Northern Industries Innovation Fund (NIIF) rebate. The funding supported the design and manufacturing of a high-performance sailing catamaran that could be shipped in a 40-foot container.
“This project was filled with learnings and challenges, and we’re grateful for the support we received from Northern Development and other funders,” said Angus. “In the end, we exceeded our expectations and are proud to offer a premiere catamaran to a wide range of sailing enthusiasts.”
Building on the success of the carbon fiber sailboat, Open Waters Solar expanded its focus to composite embedded solar panels with integrated electronics. In 2022, they secured a second $50,000 NIIF rebate to advance research and development in this area. Initially aimed at marine and RV applications, the project pivoted to a larger opportunity—refrigerated trailers, which consume over 13 billion liters of diesel annually for cooling systems.
“Northern Development believed in our startup when not many others did,” said Angus. “Why trust a small startup in Prince George to have such a revolutionary product? But they did their due diligence. Thanks to their support, we are now rapidly growing, with a new production facility underway in Prince George and immediate plans for an even larger one.”
The company’s breakthrough composite solar panel technology is a game-changer for mobile applications, particularly in refrigerated transport, offering a sustainable alternative to diesel-powered cooling.
“Prince George and Northern B.C. are home to incredible people—skilled, hardworking, and perfectly suited for large-scale technical manufacturing,” Angus added. “This initiative has been crucial in helping Open Waters Solar get to where we are today. Not just through financial assistance but through business support, development, connections, and even unlocking other funding opportunities. They didn’t just help us grow; they helped us become a better business.”
Open Waters Solar received further recognition in September 2024 when the Province of B.C. committed $450,000 through the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund (BCMJF). The funding will allow the company to retrofit its facility with advanced, automated equipment, scaling its new product line to full commercialization. This expansion will help Open Waters Solar enter new markets while creating 20 full-time jobs.
