- In the last six years, SSREC has been instrumental in the installation of close to 110 solar arrays on roofs of residential and community buildings, and a few ground mounts, around the Southern Gulf Islands
- We’ve installed close to 3000 panels with a total capacity exceeding 850 kW
- These PV arrays generate close to 900,000 kWh of electricity a year, while preventing the emission of almost 300 metric tons of carbon dioxide every year over hydroelectricity
Latest News
Canada Greener Homes Grant Assessments
Many of you may have applied for the Canada Greener Homes Grant, which provides up to $5,000 for energy efficient retrofits to your homes. These highly recommended grants include the ability to [...]
Musings on Capturing Solar Radiation with Solar Panels
By Tom Mommsen & Risa Smith Capturing solar radiation with solar panels makes sense for a number of important reasons: a. Conceptually: Input from the sun is fairly predictable, entirely free of [...]
Musings on capturing solar energy to provide energy for a battery electric vehicle (BEV)
By Tom Mommsen & Risa Smith With British Columbia phasing out the sale of vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICEV) in the next dozen years and switching to battery electric vehicles (BEVs), [...]
Update on the workings and achievements of SSREC
SSREC encourages islanders to go solar and provides help along the way, from planning, advising, assessments and recommending the appropriate equipment to installation. And save a few bucks along the way. Luckily, [...]
Featured Videos
Solar Stories from the Gulf Islands
Produced by SSREC installation partner Viridian Energy Co-op
Risa Smith and Tom Mommsen
Salish Sea Renewable Energy Co-op
Galiano Island, BC | Aug 4, 2021
Keith Erickson
Galiano Island, BC | Sept 4, 2021
Current Initiatives
FEATURED ARTICLE
Community Solar in BC – A Short Primer
This article was first published in early 2017, and since then the community of Hudson’s Hope has been busy installing 500 kW solar PV on public buildings, and the Upper Nicola Band is embarking on a 15 MW solar project, while two independent utilities (Summerland, New Westminster) have seen the light and follow Nelson in installing community solar. On the negative side, BC Hydro’s standing offer programs have since been suspended, and BC Hydro is attacking the net-metering program with an application to the BC Utilities Commission to limit net-metering. Link: http://www.bcuc.com/ApplicationView.aspx?ApplicationId=629