2010 BC Solar Days

2010 BC Solar Days a Phenomenal Success

SolarBC would like to give a huge thank-you to 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 accomplishment as 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, we are estimating that close to 1000 people attended the open houses around BC! Our gratitude goes out to the participating homeowners for their generosity and hospitality, for taking time out of their day and opening their homes up to share their solar experiences with others.

Please keep an eye on our Solar Days Review page where we will be posting pictures as we get them in.

Solar Days Launch and Luncheon in Vancouver recognizes Industry Leaders

The T’Sou-ke Nation, Swiss Solar Tech Ltd., Terratek Energy Solutions Inc. and FortisBC were all recognized during an awards ceremony at the SolarBC luncheon in Vancouver on Friday, May 28 during the launch the 2010 BC Solar Days running May 28-30 in communities across the province.

The T’Souke Nation received Solar Community of the Year, for their visioning process carried out by the community in 2009. The 75 KW solar array and 37 solar hot water installations are showcased on homes, the community hall, band hall, fish hatchery and long canoe shed. Chief Gordon Planes was at the luncheon to accept the award on behalf of the community and says, "We are very honoured that our solar community project at T’Sou-ke Nation is worthy of a Solar BC Award. We have worked very hard to get our solar community project to this stage and it is very satisfying to see that already our members are getting the benefits in terms of lower Hydro bills, more energy conservation awareness, training, jobs and other economic development opportunities."

Chief Planes adds that while they recognize that they still have far to go they look forward to further collaborating with SolarBC to get the word out to both the aboriginal and the wider BC community and promote the benefits of solar technology.

Registered SolarBC installers Swiss Solar Tech and Terratek Energy Solutions tied for the Installer of the Year award. The two companies located in the Okanagan and Lower Mainland, respectively, have accounted for 40 per cent of the installs carried out under the SolarBC program. Besides leading the way in numbers the companies are dedicated, hardworking and passionate about the solar industry, making them exemplary leaders in their field.

"The solar installer of the year award is a great honor for us," says Susan Huber, with Swiss Solar Tech. "It shows that we are doing our share to achieve excellence in the solar industry. We will do our best to live up to the expectation of our clients as an award winning solar company."

Terratek Energy Solutions says they’re happy to be recognized now two years in a row. "I think it shows the consistency in our work and the pride we take," says Landon Aldridge.

FortisBC won Utility of the Year for recognition of their support and leadership in the solar industry. The company currently provides a strong incentive for customers installing solar hot water in new homes and for retrofits.

"FortisBC is pleased to be recognized with this award," stated Michael Mulcahy, FortisBC’s Vice President of Customer and Corporate Services. "Solar is a natural energy source that’s abundant in our service area. We look forward to the day when a solar hot water system is a standard feature on both new and existing homes in our service area. We commend SolarBC for their efforts in promoting this technology and are happy to do our part in making this happen."

The luncheon was held at the Fairmont Hotel with speakers that included the District of North Vancouver Mayor, Richard Walton and John Yap, Minister of State for Climate Action who announced the seven new communities that will receive funding under the program: city of Richmond, the corporation of Delta, the city of Campbell River, the district of Invermere, the city of Fort St. John, the city of Grand Forks and the regional district of Nanaimo.

"These Solar Communities will provide leadership by their innovative deployment of solar technologies and will become role models for communities across B.C.," said Nitya Harris, executive director of SolarBC. After the luncheon a shuttle took people to the two Solar Days launch events, one in Vancouver and one at the North Vancouver Northland’s Golf Course, where Mayor Walton cut the ribbon for the solar hot water installation recently completed there, which was followed by a tour and BBQ.

Solar Tours & Community Events Shine

The 2010 BC Solar Days was a hit, with over 40 open house tours over the weekend, hosted by homeowners who have installed solar hot water. Nearly 1000 people around the province stopped by the tour sites.

"Our open house was a roaring success," says homeowner Keith Little, from Prince George. The Little’s hosted an open house on Saturday May 29 and according to Keith nearly 50 people showed up to view his system. "It was a lot of fun, and was good to meet others with similar thoughts and ideas as myself."

SolarBC Training Coordinator Julia Roberts, who hosted her open house in Nelson on Friday May 28, agrees. "The exchange of ideas amongst participants was interesting and valuable," she says, adding that nearly 40 people stop by her home. "All in all, a great day!"

As well, communities across the province hosted solar activities for the public during the weekend of May 28-30, from solar car races in Grand Forks to a Tour of the solar hot water installation at Meadow Valley Sports Centre, in Whistler.

We want to hear from you! If you participated in a Solar Days event or visited one of our solar open houses and would like to share your experience or your pictures, contact us at 1-877-650-6527 or email us at info@solarbc.ca