Kelowna

SolarBC is in its final months of the program, and federal incentives for solar thermal will run out at the end of this year. In addition, the solar thermal industry in Canada has suffered over this summer with the sudden cut to the ecoEnergy retrofit program on April 1, 2010. The Minister of Natural Resources, Christian Paradis, has indicated he will support us in asking for funding in the upcoming budget if the industry can use the summer to meet with their local MP's to convince them to support the industry's request. This work is critical and his office has been clear - we need to ensure local MPs will support any request the Minister puts forward.

There’s a solar revolution happening in BC as local governments around the province are passing resolutions to sign on to the new Solar Hot Water Regulation bylaw.

The regulation requires all new single family homes (where applicable) to be built to accommodate future installation of a solar hot water system for water heating. Communities signed on so far are:

Kelowna’s residents saw their city in a new ‘light’ during the BC Solar Days events - from solar race car races to a solar bus tour of the city that showcased some of Kelowna’s most inspirational ‘green’ buildings. Celebrating the power of the sun, local schools competed in solar car races at the EECO Centre at Mission Creek Regional Park during the Mayor’s Environmental Expo, happening the same time at Mission Creek Regional Park. Classes competed against each other in two events: the fastest time and a head-to-head elimination playoff.

SolarBC would like to give a huge thank-you to the communities and organizations that participated in this year's activities and for their hard work in organizing and implementing their Solar Days events, all of which has been a fantastic success on a whole. As well, all of our homeowners who hosted the open houses deserve a province-wide round of applause! Many were not expecting the huge crowds that came out and for their generosity and hospitality, as well as their enthusiasm in sharing their solar experiences with others we are very grateful.

Please keep an eye on our website for future pictures of all the events, which we will be posting as we get them in.

We hope you are as excited as we are for this year’s BC Solar Days!