Become a Solar Community

Local governments and First Nations have been invited to submit a proposal to become a Solar Community under the SolarBC Program.

Five communities will be selected under this initiative. The selected ‘Solar Communities’ will:

  • Act as flagship communities and provide leadership to community members;
  • Help to develop means to remove barriers to solar hot water installations;
  • Help to promote and raise awareness of SolarBC to community members; and
  • Provide visible demonstration projects.

The application process is now closed. The results will be announced in September.

Benefits

SolarBC will provide $10,000 - $20,000 plus assistance for marketing, training and solar policy development to each of the five selected communities. Selected communities will enjoy the following benefits:

  • Direct contribution funding of up to $20,000 for solar hot water initiatives;
  • Research support and assistance with policy development and planning related to solar hot water installations to be provided by SolarBC;
  • Help with resources to assist the marketing and awareness programs for the SolarBC Residential project and other SolarBC projects delivered by the community;
  • Training programs for installers, municipal staff and inspectors delivered by SolarBC;
  • First priority for a grant (of 25% of project cost) for a solar hot water system on one municipal building;
  • Recognition of leadership as a B.C. Solar Community; and
  • Presentation of the community’s solar initiatives at conferences.

Important Dates

July 11, 2008
Submit a completed application electronically, outlining the initiatives and actions that the community can commit towards being a Solar Community.
August 22, 2008
Applicants must provide a Council/Board/Band resolution, which supports their application.
September 2008
Successful Solar Communities will be announced through a province-wide media release.
March 31, 2011
Completion of initiatives proposed for the Solar Communities project.

For more information please contact:

Nitya Harris, Executive Director, SolarBC, nharris@solarbc.ca 250-590-6370
Liz Kelly, Operational Director, SolarBC, lkelly@solarbc.ca 1-866-650-6527

Funding will be administered by the B.C. Sustainable Energy Association, a non-profit organization with a mandate to promote the understanding, development and adoption of sustainable energy, energy efficiency and conservation in British Columbia.