| In the 1980s, Canada was a world leader in the implementation of solar power. Since then, solar has proven its worth, becoming the only energy source to experience a steady drop in price. Yet Canada has failed to recognize this value, falling behind all of our trading partners in solar power investment.
By 1997, Israel had earned a place in the Guinness Book of World Records by having the highest number of solar-power water heaters per capita with more than 80 per cent of Israeli households equipped to use the sun’s rays for heating water. Today, one out of every seven Austrian homeowners make use of solar power to heat their water. Meanwhile, even China, notorious for its polluting ways, has a renewable energy law requiring all new buildings to use solar water heaters. Japan, Spain, Greece, Israel and Holland have similar federal building codes.
Despite having ample natural supplies, Canada installed less than two megawatts (MW) of solar electric generating capacity last year. There are also no solid plans or targets for the future. In fact, all solar funding was frozen this March when the new federal government decided to review and halt all climate change programs. As a result, according to the Canadian Solar Industries Association, sales of solar thermal projects have plummeted.
Even in spite of Bush’s anti-environment policies, the U.S. has plans to install 10,000 MW of solar-electric generating capacity within 10 years. Japan’s future looks bright with a solar genertion target of 100,000 MW by 2030. The world leader in solar electricity, Germany, installed more than 600 MW last year. It seems the rest of the world is eager to tap into the power of the sun.
Some Calgarians are seeing the light, regardless of the government’s lack of leadership. Steve Milchak and Karen Pickles installed solar panels earlier this year in a competition for a reality television show, Code Green Canada, in which families compete to see who can make their home more efficient.
Dave Kelly, president of Sedmek, Calgary’s foremost installer of solar hot-water heaters, says there are nearly 2,400 hours of sunlight every year in Calgary, making solar water-heating "a no-brainer."
The City of Calgary’s bus maintenance garages are home to western Canada’s largest solar-wall project (a heating and ventilation system).
The 52-home Drake Landing Solar Community in Okotoks is also gaining recognition for its use of solar power. This community is designed to collect the sun’s energy through solar panels mounted on garage roofs. Ninety per cent of the heating and hot water needs will be met by solar power.
Some Calgary homebuilders, like Enviro Custom Homes, are also offering solar technologies in their designs.
Typically though, equipping buildings with solar panelling is costly and the payback is slow. Calgary, unlike many other cities, does not allow residents to send or sell solar electrons back to the grid either. Ontario is starting a program to provide incentives for homeowners to invest in solar, but it’s modest compared to many places in the world.
We’re positioned in one of the sunniest locations to optimally take advantage of solar energy. With Alberta’s reliance on its nonrenewable energy sources, investing in solar is a sensible plan for diversification and sustainability.
The National Bank of Canada has recently recommended the solar industry as a major investment opportunity. The solar industry in Germany is the fastest growing sector of the German economy, employing 30,000 workers including engineers, roofers, electricians and plumbers. Is Canada going to ignore this economic and environmental ray of light?
HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT SOLAR ENERGY
·Renovate with solar in mind and put long-term dollar savings in your pocket.
·Build Canadian solar manufacturers into your investment portfolio.
·Contact government representatives and tell them you support further investment in solar.
·Vote for representatives who support solar in their platform. |
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