Interested in installing solar panels or solar hot water heaters on your house?

Live in the Region of Waterloo?

The CREW SIDE bulk solar purchase initiative is happening now and you can get involved to take advantage of this incredible opportunity to save you time and money on the installation of your own solar panels or solar hot water system.

SOLAR POWER EDUCATIONAL FORUM
held February 9th 2008 | 9:00am-12:00pm

 

In partnership with the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association (OSEA), Go Solar and Community Renewable Energy Waterloo (CREW) the Grand House Cooperative hosted an educational forum on Solar Power. Entitled (Putting the Power Back in Your Hands-link to flyer) the focus of this forum was both an introduction to solar power and to a planned solar bulk buy for the Kitchener/Waterloo region.

Information presented at this forum included an introduction to both photovoltaic (PV) solar panels and solar hot water systems. A variety of questions were posed to the panel on topics ranging from the cost-effectiveness of solar systems to the applicability of certain systems for respective homeowners. The GOING GREEN Solar Power handout (link) provides a good introduction to solar systems, including information on a DIY solar hot water heater, and further resources.

The main focus of the educational forum was the solar bulk buy process in the Kitchener/Waterloo region. Solar bulk buys are a process whereby local community members work together to determine which systems best meet their community. In the case of Kitchener/Waterloo, a panel of local experts was created to select a solar system for the participants. Solar companies then submitted proposals to the panel for review. The process ensures that the installation of solar panels is a streamlined, simplified process. Installation, permits, evaluations and monitoring are all taken care of by the bulk buy purchase process, thus making installing solar panels much easier on the homeowner. Also because it is a bulk purchase of panels, the costs for the systems are lower as well. For a presentation on solar bulk buys please click here for a pdf version . For more information and links to further resources on solar bulk buys and installing solar systems please visit CREW”S getting started webpage (http://www.crewzone.ca/solar/get_started.cfm).

 

>> Additional Grants and Incentives available

The Federal ecoENERGY Retrofit Incentive lets homeowners qualify for grants to improve energy efficiency domestic hot water system that meets CAN/CSA Standards.
web address: http://www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca/corporate/retrofit-summary.cfm

A Renewable Energy Development in Ontario report details funding opportunities available in Ontario:
web address: http://www.energy.gov.on.ca/english/pdf/renewable/REDO.pdf
 

>>Additional Resources

Wikipedia: solar energy, PV panels and solar thermal
web address: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_energy#Solar_thermal

Canadian Renewable Energy Network (a wealth of resources and publications on solar power)
web address: http://www.canren.gc.ca/

Ontario Sustainable Energy Association (renewable energies)
web address: http://www.ontario-sea.org/renewableenergy.php

Canadian Solar Industries Association
web address: http://www.cansia.ca/

Canadian Housing and Mortage Corporation (search for publications on solar and PV power)
web address: www.cmhc.ca

Energy Alternatives (Supplier with a host of information and links on solar technologies)
web address: www.energyalternatives.ca

US Department of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Resources
web address: http://www.eere.energy.gov/

 

 

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