2010 BC Solar Days

Be a Community Leader! Join us in celebrating the sun – and solar energy – with a Solar Days Celebration.

SolarBC and nine Solar Communities are hosting the first annual BC Solar Days, May 28-29, 2010. This province-wide solar celebration runs in conjunction with Europe’s annual solar week, which sees over 5000 activities in 10 countries across Europe. In BC we will be hosting community expos, children’s fairs, solar open houses and tours, workshops and student solar competitions. Join us in this celebration. And help spread the word about solar energy in our communities.

European Solar Days

How to Participate

If you would like to get involved in a fun community solar event - be it a community group, school or local government – simply plan a fun activity or pick an activity from our list below. Fill out the registration form, send it to info@solarbc.ca and then we’ll post your community’s plan of action on our website. We’ll also provide marketing coverage, as well as SolarBC brochures and postcards for you to hand out at your event.

Suggested Activities:

  • Host a Solar Open House or community solar tour. SolarBC will provide posters and marketing material, as well as a power point presentation about solar energy and our program to educate and inform homeowners and local governments about the incentives available. There may also be a SolarBC registered installer in your area who would like to be a guest speaker. Read about Saanich’s open house here.
  • Host a Family Fun Solar Day. Families can race solar-powered toy cars, eat hotdogs cooked in a solar oven, make a mural, play fun solar games and celebrate the sun as a community. Read about San Diego’s Family Day here.
  • Host a themed colouring contest for kids! SolarBC can provide you with buttons or other solar prizes to hand out for winning posters. We’d also be happy to publish winning pictures on our website. Watch a video on the Sustainability Edu-Fun Coloring Contest in Vancouver here.
  • Build a green roof. Vegetated roofs are another great way to go green and work hand in hand with solar hot water installations. Read about the Nanaimo Transportation Authority building’s green roof/solar install here. Find out more about green roofs at: www.projectsinplace.com
  • Hold a Solar Bike Tour. With over 150 solar hot water installs across BC, we can help you map out a tour of installations in your area. Take your friends on a bike ride and a game of eye-spy.
  • Open your home for a solar hot water show and tell. More than 50 residents opened their homes to their neighbours and others during the San Diego Solar Homes Tour. Do the same, and let others in on what made you decide to join the solar revolution. Read about the San Diego solar tour here.

Our Solar Communities’ Action Plans:

Each of our official Solar Communities will be hosting one or more public events for Solar Days.

Dawson Creek: TBA.

Kelowna: A two-day public event that will be taking place in conjunction with the environment expo happening at the same time. Plans include informative booths and speakers and solar model car races. students will compete to build and race model cars. There will also be a half day industry workshop planned as well as a community informatioin session

North Vancouver: A tour of the Northlands Golf Course, which has a solar hot water system installed. There will also be an opportunity to showcase a Solar hot water display available at various public locations. Tour of solar installs on residential homes is also being planned, as well as an interactive LIDAR data tool for public to gain understanding of the solar potential on their homes.

Saanich: Day one will include a tour of the Gordon Head Recreational Centre solar hot water install, with a keynote speaker. Day two will be the same tour for building inspectors.

Tofino: Community Beach day with ribbon cutting on Cox Bay Solar hot water showers.

T’Sou-ke First Nation: Open house and tour of T’Sou-ke solar array, including feast, music and solar celebration.

Vancouver: The Vancouver School Board will host a ribbon-cutting at one of its newest "solar schools," with activities and information about solar for students and the public. The City of Vancouver will host a solar open house at the Vancouver Olympic Village, including tours of the Net Zero building's 480 m2 solar installation, and information about the 50 solar roofs incentive program for new homes.

West Moberly: TBA.

Whister: TBA.

For more information contact us at 1-877-650-6527. Please remember to fill out our registration form and send it to: info@solarbc.ca if you are planning an activity for Solar Days.

"The search for alternative and renewable energy sources is more prevailing and urgent as ever. In light of climate change increasing at a threatening pace, our planet is in major danger. It is our duty to do everything in our means to come to peace with nature."
-Gert Pöttering, President of European Parliament during Solar Week 2009 opening speech.