More Cash for Solar Installations

In 2009, five Naramata homeowners took advantage of several financial incentives to subsidize the cost of panels and systems to heat hot water via the sun’s radiant power. Anecdotally and unofficially, Naramata could be on a per capita basis the most solar energized community in BC! Today, the Solar BC program announced that its incentive has been increased to $2000.

In 2009, five Naramata homeowners took advantage of several financial incentives to subsidize the cost of panels and systems to heat hot water via the sun’s radiant power. Anecdotally and unofficially, Naramata could be on a per capita basis the most solar energized community in BC!

Today, the Solar BC program announced that its incentive has been increased to $2000.

Craig Henderson, editor of MyNaramata, wrote about the installation of his family’s solar hot water system last September.

"Since installing the system that preheats the water prior to the regular electric hot water tank, we have received two Fortis bills. Both Fortis bills have shown that our household power is down by about 10%, and this is through the dark and gloomy days of fall and winter. I’ll be interested to see what happens in spring and summer. Most people don’t realize that heating water accounts for about 30 per cent of a typical BC household's energy use," says Henderson.

The installer of the five Naramata systems, Swiss Solar Tech of Summerland, says this new incentive is worth considering.

Swiss Solar is one of many approved installers by Solar BC. The firm’s Susan Huber says the new incentive offered by Solar BC is for installations finished before March 31, so time is of the essence.

For Naramatians interested in joining the five homes with solar hot water systems, Huber says these incentives are available:

Solar BC discount: $2000
Fortis BC (for those with electric source hot water heat): $300
ecoENERGY federal rebate: $1250

In addition, Swiss Solar offers a $300 home show rebate, because the firm will be exhibiting at this weekend's event in Penticton. Huber will present a seminar at 11 AM Saturday at the home show.

"I live in Summerland, so I get to look across the lake and see how sunny it is in Naramata," says Huber. "We would love to do more installations in Naramata."

Although the provincial LiveSmart program has been cancelled and Ottawa's home renovation tax credit has ended, the Solar BC program is provincially and federally funded and is administered by the BC Sustainable Energy Association.

Prior to receiving a solar installation rebate, homes are required to have an energy audit. Locally, Mark Petry performs such audits and can explain what is involved, 250-486-6498. After an audit is done, homeowners can qualify for other rebates through the federal ecoENERGY program for things like window or insulation improvements.