Schools

The Solar Schools project provides funding and support for the installation of solar hot water and photovoltaic systems on schools.

108 Mile Elementary School Install. Doug Gorcak, the Manager of Facilities and Transportation of the School District #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) on the left.

The project has also developed solar lesson plans to help educators integrate learning about solar energy and solar installations into the classroom.

SolarBC will help schools in their quest to become carbon neutral with respect to their operations by providing funding for solar hot water systems. The installation of solar hot water systems on schools demonstrates the leadership of the school in reducing GHG emissions and encourages students and their families to investigate renewable energy solutions in their homes. Solar hot water is an innovative technology that reduces the carbon footprint of the school along with energy costs. While showing an on-the-ground climate action initiative, the installation provides a teaching opportunity about the possibilities for renewable energy usage and employment opportunities in the renewable energy sector, one of the fastest growing sectors in the world.

Two funding streams are available for the installation of solar hot water on schools:

SolarBC in collaboration with the Province of BC, WildBC and the Habitat Conservation Trust Fund has developed a series of solar lesson plans that give teachers the flexibility to choose the lesson plans that are best suited for their students.

SolarBC also provides funding for the installation of demonstration PV projects on schools. Funding has been provided for the following schools:

  • Oak Bay High School, Oak Bay
  • Dover Bay Elementary School, Nanaimo
  • Reynolds Secondary School, Victoria
  • Admiral Seymour Secondary School, Vancouver

Further information on the PV project is provided here.