Kelowna Shines

The Sunshine City Takes Advantage Of Its Name

“Kelowna has a history of sustainable development and has taken a lot of pride in energy management and alternative energy solutions,” says Don Degen, Water Drainage Manager for the City of Kelowna. He is referring to a number of projects, like solar powered lights in parks and along walkways, that the city has taken on as part of a sustainable living approach to their community.

He believes their recognition as a SolarBC Community will help in the development of new green alternatives, not to mention the huge potential for solar energy, because of their hot, dry summers. “We see solar fitting into that overall strategy well, because of our climate,” says Degen. “So it’s a great fit.”

The Solar Kelowna steering committee, with staff and local stake holders, will be focused on retrofitting solar hot water systems to existing buildings, while working with corporations and striking partnerships within the community. “We want to have a plan within the next two months laid out,” says Degen, adding that the committee will be setting specific targets with a corporate strategy for retrofits and new installs.

Currently they will be completing a retrofit of a solar hot water system on the Athans community pool. “It will be an effort to generate education in the community,” says Degen. “And also help us understand what it entails from the point of view of a business case-study.”

That’s not to say Kelowna won’t be looking at their residents for feedback. The city plans to host a full public consultation in May, 2009. “We’re expecting about 300 people to attend,” says Degen. “The idea is to develop a public process to get the solar issue moving.”