SolarBC 2010 Awards Presented at Solar Celebration

Members of the T’Sou-ke First Nation provided tours of their photovoltaic (PV) installations and solar hot water systems. T’Sou-ke installed PV arrays on the band hall, the community hall, and the canoe shed. Three different types of PV arrays were used in order to compare the effectiveness of different technologies.  

 

Solar hot water systems were installed on 37 houses as well as the band hall. Band members who had trained as solar hot water installers during the installations explained the systems to visitors.

 

 

 

The salmon feast catered by members of the T’sou-ke community was opened with an invocation by spiritual healer, Shirley Alphonse. Following the delicious meal, Nitya Harris Executive Director of SolarBC spoke about SolarBC’s accomplishments in its first three years of operation.

 

 

 

Solar Installers of the Year Awards were announced for Terratek Energy Solutions of Courtenay and Swiss Solar Tech of Summerland. These two companies have led the way in the number and diversity of solar systems that they have installed. Guy Dauncey, President of the BC Sustainable Energy Association presented the award to Landon Aldridge and Scott Fleenor of Terratek. The award for Swiss Solar Tech was sent by mail.

 

 

Colleen Sparks of the Climate Action Secretariat presented a Solar School of the Year Award to Principal Darren Danyluk from David Thompson Secondary School in Invermere. Darren showed some slides and told the story of the development of the solar, food-producing greenhouse (www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkLaytBsE3s) at his school.

 

Sir Charles Tupper Secondary School from Vancouver was also recognized as a Solar School of the Year because the school installed a solar hot water system and the students led the way in planning and obtaining equipment for a PV system. Since that school was on spring break their award was mailed to them.

FortisBC was named the Utility of the Year for the second consecutive year. FortisBC electricity provided rebates to homeowners who added a solar hot water system to an existing houses and financial incentives to developers who included solar hot water in new construction. Terasen Gas, the natural gas arm of FortisBC, provided grants to schools, post-secondary institutions, and health care facilities that installed solar hot water systems. In addition FortisBC electricity and Terasen representatives served on the SolarBC Oversight Committee.

SolarBC has 32 Solar Communities that are working to raise public awareness of the viability of solar hot water systems, building solar demonstration projects, and simplifying the regulatory environment for solar installations. Three Solar Communities were named Solar Communities of the Year, because each community had made unique contributions to promoting the use of solar energy.

 

The City of Fort St. John was recognized for its leadership in changing the regulatory environment for solar projects. Its building bylaw was revised to provide a rebate of $500 for a solar hot water ready building and $3,000 for installation of a solar hot water system. The City changed its OCP to include policies encouraging the use of alternative energy including solar; and creating development permit areas where Passive Solar Design is encouraged and renewable energy must supply at least 10% of energy demand. In addition, Fort St. John has installed solar hot water in City Hall, solar hot air heating at the City Public Works Shop, solar trash compactors, solar lighting at bus shelters, solar–powered pedestrian signals, and solar-powered wireless technology for data transfer from water meters and lagoons. Councilor, Dan Davies, accepted the award from Geoff Turner from the Renewable Energy Development Branch of the Ministry of Energy and Mines.

 

 

 

The City of Campbell River was recognized for its many solar initiatives including installing solar hot water systems on a fire hall, RCMP building, and Sportsplex, and developing educational programs and information kiosks to showcase these solar hot water systems. The City provides information about solar on its website and runs press releases and ads in the local media to promote solar energy.   During Solar Days in 2010, Campbell River held a Solar Hot Water Workshop and solar home tour that were attended by more than 60 people. The City also held a Solar Kids Contest with a solar car & other prizes being awarded to an eight year old for her creative entry telling how the sun could be used in the future of Campbell River. Geoff Turner presented the award to Peter Woods, Chair of the Environmental Advisory Committee and Terri Martin, Environmental Coordinator.

 

 

 

The District of North Vancouver was recognized for installing solar hot water systems on five district buildings: Northlands Golf Course, Parkgate Community Centre, and three fire halls. The District has educated residents about solar hot water and developed a Green Building Strategy, which includes “Alternate Energy Systems”. Of particular interest is the District’s interactive website (http://www.geoweb.dnv.org/applications/solarapp/ ) that allows residents to view the solar potential of their homes. Dominica Babicki, Supervisor - Sustainability Planning Research and Community Consultation for the District demonstrated the solar application to the luncheon guests. Then, Mayor Richard Walton and Dominica accepted the Solar Community of the Year Award from Geoff Turner.

 

 

 

The T’Sou-ke First Nation is a SolarBC Solar Community, and has led the way in sharing its knowledge and experience of solar energy with other First Nations. Solar energy has the potential to allow remote First Nations to save money and green house gas emissions by reducing their use of diesel fuel. T’Sou-ke has also showcased its solar installations by offering eco-tours that include solar tours, canoe rides, an art and crafts fair, and a salmon feast. The First Nation has partnered with Camosun College, the District of Sooke, the City of Colwood, and the Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources on solar projects. They have also promoted solar through TV broadcasts, webcasts and production of a DVD. Their Solar Community video is available at http://www.tsoukenation.com/ Solar BC acknowledged their dedication to promoting solar energy with a special Solar Leadership and Advocacy Award that was presented to Chief Gordon Planes by Janice Larson of the Renewable Energy Development Branch at Ministry of Energy and Mines.