For Immediate Release:
November 9, 2005
Victorian brings home Canadian solar industry
award
Solar hot water program to be launched at weekend tradeshow
event
Victoria, BC (November 9, 2005)—The
BC Sustainable Energy Association (BCSEA) has
been named 2005 Solar Advocate of the Year for its groundbreaking
SolarBC Hot
Water Heating Program. The award was presented to Victoria
resident and BCSEA
SolarBC project leader Nitya Harris at the Canadian Solar
Industries Association (CanSIA)
annual conference in Ottawa last week.
SolarBC provides financial incentives to
homeowners for solar hot water
installations in BC. The first 70 homeowners who install
solar hot water systems as a part
of the program are eligible to receive up to $900 in rebates
from Natural Resources Canada
and the province of BC. SolarBC also provides training for
solar hot water installers, helping
to build ongoing capacity and raise public awareness so this
technology will thrive in BC.
“BCSEA and the SolarBC program have
been instrumental in moving BC and Canada
towards a sustainable energy future,” said Rob McMonagle,
CanSIA Executive Director.
“BCSEA has shown national leadership by promoting greater
usage of solar energy.”
“We are very pleased that SolarBC has
been recognized by Canada’s leading solar industry
association,” said BCSEA president Guy Dauncey. “Solar
thermal energy is a clean,
renewable, cost-effective solution. Our long-term goal is
to see 100,000 systems installed
on BC rooftops by 2025.”
BCSEA will be launching the SolarBC program
in Victoria at Sustainable Energy
Now!, a tradeshow and exhibition being held this weekend. Nitya Harris will be
available to discuss the program with homeowners, builders
and trades people.
The tradeshow, at the University Canada West—950
Kings Road, will feature the products
and services of local businesses and non-profit organizations
specializing in alternative
energy, wise end use, and sustainable living. The event is
open to the public 11AM–6PM
Saturday and Sunday, with no admission charge.
The SolarBC program is supported by Natural
Resources Canada, Canadian Mortgage and
Housing Corporation, Vancity Credit Union, Western Economic
Diversification Canada, BC
Hydro, BC Min. of Environment and BC Min. of Energy, Mines
and Petroleum Resources.
The BCSEA promotes the understanding, development
and adoption of sustainable energy
and energy conservation and efficiency in BC. CanSIA works
to strengthen the Canadian
photovoltaics and solar thermal industries, increase the
professionalism of companies, foster
domestic and international markets and promote the use of
renewable energies.
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