Are You Living in a Solar Ready Home?

The Benefits of Building and Buying in a Solar Ready Market

A Solar Open House Tour stops for a fun picture at BCSEA president Guy Dauncey's home, in Saanich, during BC Solar Days in May.

There are currently 26 communities across BC committing to the new "Solar Ready" bylaw that requires all new single family homes (where applicable) to be built to accommodate future installation of a solar hot water system for water heating. In the city of Vancouver, this bylaw has been in place since 2008 and in the last two years, approximately 1220 permits have been issued for new homes the majority of which have been built solar ready. So how can you tell if you are living in a solar ready home? Just look for the Solar Ready sticker on your piping.

Why Buy Solar Ready?

The cost of building solar ready is only a few hundred dollars but the benefits of buying solar ready are exponential. If you are in the market for a new home, buying solar ready not only increases the value of your property but will also provide a greatly reduced operating costs as a homeowner and lower the cost for a system install at a later date. Not to mention it’s easier to install on a home that is already set up to accommodate a system and you will be reducing your greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprint, while receiving protection from rising energy prices and gaining security from power outages.

Why Build Solar Ready?

Building solar ready will help to differentiate proactive builders in a crowded market and provide a unique ‘green’ marketing opportunity and selling feature. SolarBC is also collaborating with the Canadian Home Builders Association BC and their Built Green BC program. The Built Green Checklist awards two points to Solar Ready homes and a fully commissioned solar water heating system provides anywhere from 4 - 8 points. Read more on our Builders and Developers page or at www.builtgreencanada.ca.