Workshop Focuses Power Of The Sun

Saving money by harnessing the sun's energy for hot water heating is the subject of a special workshop March 8. Organizers from the Cowichan Carbon Busters program are hoping that at least 20 homeowners in the Cowichan Region will sign up for the program.

Saving money by harnessing the sun's energy for hot water heating is the subject of a special workshop March 8. See details here

Organizers from the Cowichan Carbon Busters program are hoping that at least 20 homeowners in the Cowichan Region will sign up for the program.

The workshop, in the Heritage Hall of the Island Savings Centre, runs from 1-4 p.m. and will also serve as the starting point for a pilot project to convert 20 existing hot water systems to solar thermal systems.

"Solar thermal is a logical place to start for homeowners who want to move away from rising energy costs and help fight climate change at the same time," said workshop organizer Peter Nix. "It's a tested technology that is in use successfully around the world.

This is a great time to switch to solar energy. Rebates and incentives through the provincial government's LiveSmart BC program, the federal government's ecoEnergy Retrofit and BC Sustainable Energy Association's SolarBC program will save a homeowner at least $1,625 on the installation of a new system.

Nix says the cost savings from purchasing the necessary equipment in bulk will only add to the savings and homeowners may see systems paying for themselves in five years.

"More importantly, this pilot project and workshop will help show the community that going green is both cost effective and easy to accomplish," Nix said. "Going green will also help to stimulate our local economy, as well as improve our environment at the same time."