About SolarBC
SolarBC makes it easy for people to install solar hot water in BC.
Our goal is to encourage people to be less reliant on fossil fuels, and to tap into the free energy provided by the sun. Right now, solar is the leading alternative-energy industry in the world. Germany has installed over 150,000 solar hot water systems to date, while California has set a goal of a million solar roofs by 2017. Austria, Spain, China and many other countries are pioneering solar hot water as a viable, secure, reliable energy supply. B.C. has great potential to join this prestigious group.
Our program includes 6 projects for individual homes, solar communities, government buildings, First Nations, social housing, and schools. For homeowners, we have incentives of up to $1,625 available to help out with the cost of installation.
Along with 6 outstanding SolarBC Communities, we're seeing all levels of government, non-profits and industry stakeholders collaborating to make solar hot water commonplace in BC. Our aim is to get solar technology installed on 100,000 roofs across by 2020.
A few of the tangible outcomes from SolarBC are a measurable reduction in CO2 and other high-pollutant greenhouse gas emissions; displacement of traditional electricity and natural gas; generation of electricity; creation of jobs; economic growth in communities; and the creation of Solar Communities across the province.
For more information you can view our SolarBC Powerpoint Presentation.
SolarBC Project Leads
Nitya Harris – Executive Director
Nitya draws upon extensive experience developing and delivering energy saving initiatives. From 2005-2006 she successfully managed the SolarBC Solar Hot Water Acceleration pilot project, a 'first of its kind' project that laid the foundation for current SolarBC initiatives. In addition to her work at SolarBC, Nitya is the initiator and project lead of the 100,000 Solar Roofs BC project. Sponsored by Minister Richard Neufeld and Minister Barry Penner, this project has involved the creation of a Task Team of high-profile industry, government and other sector experts appointed to develop a plan to develop solar energy in British Columbia. Nitya was awarded the 2007 Solar Advocate of the Year by the Canadian Solar Industries Association.
Liz Kelly – Residential Project Manager
Liz moved to British Columbia in 2003 and worked for 2-years with the Provincial Government to implement “Energy Efficient Buildings, A Plan for BC” in collaboration with over 25 partners, including SolarBC. Liz is a member of the 100,000 Solar Roofs task team, the Affordable Housing Working Group and the Buildings Working Group of the BC Partnership for Energy Conservation and Efficiency. Liz has worked for eaga since 1990, developing policy, designing and managing energy saving initiatives on behalf of governments, utilities and social housing providers, including a national $300m (CAD equivalent) energy efficiency program in partnership with British Gas. In particular, Liz’s expertise focuses on alleviating the effects of fuel poverty by facilitating access to the benefits of energy efficiency for lower income families.
Oversight Committee
An oversight committee provides high-level project direction, feedback, financial decisions and guidance; monitors progress, and provides expert advice to the project. Oversight Committee members are:
Guy Dauncey, President, BC Sustainable Energy Association
Gary Hamer, Technology Innovation Manager, Power Smart, BC Hydro
Gareth Jones, V.P. and General Manager, Terasen Energy Services
Laura Porcher, Executive Director, Community Energy Association
John Stonier, V.P. Finance, Day4Energy Inc.
Keith Veerman, Manager – Energy Efficiency, FortisBC Inc.
Partners and Sponsors
A Program Of
SolarBC is administered by the BC Sustainable Energy Association (BCSEA), a non-profit society of citizens, professionals and practitioners committed to promoting the understanding, development and adoption of renewable energy technologies, energy efficiency and conservation in British Columbia.
In Collaboration With
eaga is a leading provider of residential energy saving solutions. Since our establishment in 1990 we've been at the forefront of environment, energy efficiency and social justice agendas across UK, in Canada, India and Ireland.
Sponsored By
SolarBC is proud to be receiving funding from Natural Resources Canada's, ecoENERGY for Renewable Heat program. As part of this $36 million program, $9 million has been allocated to 13 pilot projects across Canada, including SolarBC, who will explore innovative approaches to the deployment of solar water heating systems in the residential sector on a large scale. The goal of these pilot projects is to determine the most efficient and effective ways to encourage Canadians to install solar hot water heating systems in their homes.
The Province of British Columbia invested $5 million in the SolarBC program to encourage the installation of solar hot water heaters in homes, municipal buildings, schools, social housing and First Nations communities. The increased use of solar energy technology is part of a broader sustainable energy strategy that will help the Province reach its goal to curb greenhouse gas emissions by 33 per cent by 2020.