Solar Communities

SolarBC has established six Solar Communities to take a leadership role in developing the market for Solar Hot Water and raise awareness of SolarBC.

The SolarBC Communities project is a part of the SolarBC Program, which has a goal of transforming the market for solar hot water systems in B.C. We are providing up to $20,000, plus assistance for marketing, training and solar policy development to our selected 6 communities: Saanich, Kelowna, Tofino, West Vancouver, Dawson Creek and West Moberley First Nation.

SolarBC is proud to work alongside these exemplary communities and excited to develop our relationship with them over the next three years!

A total of 19 municipalities and First Nations applied to be a SolarBC community, including seven First Nations, one joint municipal/First Nations and 11 municipal applications.

The selection criteria was based on multiple factors that included, solar targets, actions and initiatives proposed, intention to apply for other grants to help implement the solar hot water initiatives, participation in Community Action on Energy and Emissions and demonstrated commitment and past implementation of solar initiatives in the community. The selection committee members included: Gary Hamer (B.C. Hydro), Laura Porcher (Community Energy Association) and Nitya Harris (SolarBC).

Please note: Due to the overwhelming response for SolarBC Community Status, there will be a separate selection process aimed specifically at First Nations Communities. Please keep visiting our site for more information on this process as it happens over the next several months. All First Nations Communities that have applied for SolarBC Community status, will be included in this new selection process.

Please explore these pages and find out more about solar hot water initiatives in your Solar Community.