Castlegar goes solar
By Castlegar Source
The City of Castlegar is one of 15 communities and one First Nation across BC that is looking to develop and expand innovative solar power programs.
The City will receive $5,000 in funding to enable them to develop solar hot-water programs in an effort to promote clean energy, reduce greenhouse gas and create a more sustainable community.
“It (the funding) is for solar power policy development,” said city CAO John Malcolm. “Right now, we’re trying to set the policy framework now that will guide the decision-making for actual physical projects down the road.”
He said this would not only impact city projets and infrastructure, but may also allow for educaiton and assistance for local residents, businesses and builders regarding energy savings and energy-producing opportunites.
In all, $80,000 will allow 15 communities and one First Nation to develop and expand solar power programs through the funding from Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources.
In addition to Castlegar, also participating are the City of Kimberley, the Village of Midway, the Village of Ashcroft, the Village of Alert Bay, the City of Colwood, City of Duncan, the Township of Esquimalt, the Town of Ladysmith, the Lasqueti Local Trust Committee, the District of Peachland, the City of Quesnel, the Salt Spring Island Local Trust Committee, the District of Sechelt, the City of Surrey and the Cowichan Tribes.
These communities were chosen through a request-for-proposal process, and each will receive $5,000. This brings the total number of solar communities to 32.
On July 17, 2008, the province announced a $5-million investment in SolarBC to support six solar hot water programs, including installations in residences, local government buildings, First Nations homes, social housing, schools and the solar communities program.
A solar hot water system can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by one to two tonnes per year for a single-family home using natural gas for water heating.
For more information on SolarBC, please visit www.solarbc.ca.
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