Featured Solar Community: Dawson Creek

Workers install solar powered street lights in Dawson Creek.

Dawson Creek became a Solar Community because of their progressive approaches to implementing solar technologies, and they continue to step over perceived regulatory barriers by looking to the experience of Europe. Currently, the city is setting precedents with their submission of a bylaw request for all new homes to be built solar ready, as well as requiring no additional plumbing permits for solar hot water installs on new homes.

"We take all the plumbing issues into consideration when we look at a brand new house, not just for the solar hot water system," says Emanuel Machado, Director of Corporate Planning and Sustainable Community Development. He adds that incorporating the solar hot water permits into the building process was an effort to keep things uncomplicated and not burden contractors with unnecessary paperwork.

"We based our decision on the approaches Europe has taken," says Machado. "They are much more progressive and the city of Freiberg has installed thousands of systems." The German city is also home of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems, and has been a long-time recognized city in the solar industry.

The support of the City Council in Dawson Creek played a big factor in the lack of barriers for solar installs and while Machado says they still encounter barriers and regulatory issues because of jurisdiction issues, they are working hard to find solutions that will work not only for them but for everyone in BC. For example, they have recently submitted an application to the Building Policy branch to allow a code for all new homes to be built solar ready.

"One of the benefits of this is the cost effectiveness of doing it during new construction," says Machado, explaining that installation costs are higher in homes that are not designed and built solar ready.

Saving people money and making solar hot water installs easier are just two examples of the leadership role Dawson Creek is taking in the solar industry.