BACKGROUNDER 2008EMPR0047-001106 …

                                     BACKGROUNDER
2008EMPR0047-001106                                Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources
July 17, 2008


                      $5-MILLION INVESTMENT LAUNCHES SOLARBC


The SolarBC program is administered by the B.C. Sustainable Energy Association (BCSEA), a non-
profit society of citizens, professionals and practitioners committed to promoting the understanding,
development and adoption of renewable energy technologies, energy efficiency and conservation in
British Columbia (www.solarbc.ca).
The program includes the following projects:

SolarBC Residential Retrofit

·   The Residential Retrofit program provides financial incentives to homeowners to install solar water
    heaters in up to 2,000 homes across B.C.
·   It will cost homeowners approximately $6,000 - $7,000 to install a solar water heater in the average
    home. SolarBC will cover approximately 25 per cent of the costs.
·   The system will last 25 ­ 30 years and will save the homeowner approximately $100 per year.
·   Homeowners will need to get a LiveSmart assessment to find out if their home is a good candidate
    for a solar water heater.
·   Once the LiveSmart assessment has been completed, the homeowner will be able to book an
    installation with a SolarBC qualified installer.
·   The installer will give the homeowner a $1,000 rebate at the time of purchase.
·   Once the follow up LiveSmart assessment is completed and the installation has been verified as
    complete, the home owner will then receive a further $500 through the federal ecoEnergy retrofit
    program and $250 through LiveSmart.
·   The federal program is providing half the $1,000 rebate along with the ecoEnergy retrofit
    incentive.
·   The Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources is providing $2.4 million to SolarBC for
    this project.


Local Government Solar Thermal Project

·   The Local Government Solar Thermal Project targets municipal buildings for the installation of
    solar hot water systems.
·   Applications will be solicited through a request for proposals. Projects will be selected based on
    greenhouse gas savings and geographic distribution (no more than one project per municipality).
·   Preference will be given to installations on buildings such as community and recreation centres that
    are suitable as demonstration projects and to communities that have been selected as Solar
    Communities.
·   The Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources is providing $550,000 to SolarBC for this
    project.
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First Nations Solar Project

·   Natural Resources Canada's (NRCan) Residential Pilot Initiative provided the All Nations Trust
    Company (ANTCO) with $1.4 million to create a financing program to manage the First Nations
    Solar Project.
·   The goal of this project is to install 1,700 solar hot water systems in First Nations communities
    across Canada by 2010. The target is to install 500 systems in B.C.
·   This program will support government's commitment to reduce the dependence of remote First
    Nations communities on diesel generators.
·   It should result in greenhouse gas emission reductions of over 250 tonnes per year.
·   The Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources is providing $660,000 in funding through
    SolarBC to support First Nations solar programs. ANTCO has been approached as a potential
    partner for these programs


Social Housing Solar Project

·   The Social Housing Solar Project supports the installation of solar thermal systems in affordable
    and social housing operators in B.C. The project offers rebates towards the solar thermal system
    capital and installation costs per unit connected.
·   This program will include the installation of solar energy systems on up to 40 low income housing
    developments across the province. It should result in over 450 tonnes of annual greenhouse gas
    emission reductions.
·   Depending on the region, this program could be combined with low-interest loans available for
    residential energy efficiency upgrades from credit unions such as Van City and Northern Savings
    Credit Union.
·   Affordable and social housing buildings that have the maximum opportunity for energy savings
    will be selected for the program. Housing operators should contact SolarBC to obtain application
    details.
·   Buildings that have the maximum opportunity for energy savings will be selected.
·   This project is planned to be launched in the fall.
·   The Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources is providing $400,000 in funding to
    SolarBC, matching the federal dollars from the Natural Resources Canada ecoEnergy renewable
    heat program.


Solar for Schools Project

·   The Solar for Schools project will provide 50 per cent funding for solar hot water installations on
    up to 50 schools across the province.
·   Schools are eligible to apply to NRCAN under the ecoEnergy Renewable Heat Program for a
    rebate of 25 per cent of project costs. The remaining 25 per cent would be covered by the school
    district.
·   Participating schools will be selected through an open call for submissions to school districts, and
    selected based on the fuel source and efficiency of their current boiler system and the hot water use
    load.
·   This program will result in annual greenhouse gas emission reductions of four tonnes per school,
    up to 200 tonnes in total (assuming the displacement of a 50 per cent efficient gas boiler).
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·   The program would result in annual cost savings to the participating schools of approximately
    $1,000 per year. The system will pay for itself in five to seven years.
·   Installations include heat monitoring equipment, providing an educational tool for students to see
    renewable energy in action.
·   The program will also include funding support for the installation of two 10kw photovoltaic arrays
    on schools in the province.
·   The Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources is providing $950,000 in funding to
    SolarBC for this project.


Solar Communities

·   Five Solar Communities from across the province will be chosen by RFP to promote solar water
    heaters. The communities chosen will receive $10,000 - $20,000.
·   Solar Communities will commit to installing solar in at least one city building, making their
    building regulations solar friendly and providing a solar community model that other cities can
    follow.
·   Building and plumbing inspectors in the Solar Communities will be trained to deal with solar water
    heaters.

                                                 -30-




Media       Jake Jacobs
contact:    Public Affairs Officer
            Ministry of Energy, Mines and
            Petroleum Resources
            250 952-0628
            250 213-6934 (cell)

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