The District of Summerland has taken another step in bringing the benefits of solar energy to the community with the installation of a 5.4kW solar photovoltaic array on Municipal Hall. The 17-panel system will provide over 6,900 kWh of power to the District annually, or about 5% of the building's current electrical energy use. Upcoming energy savings measures at Municipal Hall such as the conversion of all indoor and exterior lighting to LEDs means the panels will cover an even higher percentage of the building's energy needs in the future.
"The Municipal Hall solar array is one more way Summerland is benefiting from renewable energy. This installation will not only provide cost savings to our community, but it is a highly visible reminder that we are committed to demonstrating leadership on clean technology and innovation" said Mayor Toni Boot. "We truly appreciate the opportunity to partner with the North Growth Foundation on this and the Arts & Cultural Centre array, which has already exceeded our estimates for annual power production."
This latest installation joins a larger 50-panel (17.25 kW) array completed on the Arts & Cultural Centre in fall 2018. Both installations were funded by a $25,000 grant from the North Family Foundation's "Solar Now" project and a $30,000 allocation from the District's unallocated surplus fund.
"The leadership of the District of Summerland exemplified by the installations of renewable solar energy on public buildings is inspiring!" says Bill Swan, Solar Now Project Manager. "Demonstrating that renewable solar energy is not only viable but achievable for citizens and whole communities is precisely why Solar Now was established to work with future thinking communities and organizations. With each installation, Solar Now aims to demonstrate how communities can produce their own power while helping fight climate change by generating clean, renewable electricity from the sun. In these challenging times leaders are who we look to and it is an honor for Solar Now to support Summerland's solar projects on behalf of the North Family Foundation and Clean Energy Canada."
The arrays will produce a combined total of almost 30,000 kWh of power each year and each serve as demonstrations of the District's commitment to becoming a leader in the utilization of renewable energy for the benefit of the community. The District also has a solar hot water installation on the Aquatic Centre that has been reducing natural gas use in that facility since 2010 and is currently developing the Summerland Solar+Storage Project - a 1MW solar array with 2MWh of battery storage.
The solar arrays on Municipal Hall and on the Arts & Cultural Centre can each be monitored in real time through online portals, accessible through www.summerland.ca/climate-action
Residents can get updates on all of Summerland's solar energy projects by writing climate.action@summerland.ca and requesting to be added to the District's solar energy email list.
For more information
Box 159, 13211 Henry Avenue
Summerland, British Columbia
Canada V0H 1Z0
www.summerland.ca
