Government of Canada
2002/48
April 22, 2002
GOVERNMENT OF CANADA SUPPORTS RESIDENTIAL SOLAR ENERGY
SYSTEMS
KITCHENER — Homebuyers in the Kitchener–Waterloo
region will soon be able to generate electricity from their rooftops with
innovative solar energy technology. Karen Redman, Member of Parliament
for Kitchener Centre and Parliamentary Secretary to the Environment Minister
David Anderson, today announced that the Government of Canada is contributing
$1,025,000 to a project to design and construct houses with solar energy
systems in the region.
The two-and-a-half-year project represents the first demonstration of
community-scale photovoltaic (PV) systems in a Canadian neighbourhood.
Government of Canada funding comes from the Technology Early Action Measures
(TEAM) component of the Climate Change Action Fund (CCAF) and Natural
Resources Canada.
"This project showcases Canada as a leader in developing and implementing
innovative technologies," said Ms. Redman. "Canada can diversify
its energy resources by using alternatives, such as solar, and by doing
so will simultaneously reduce greenhouse gas emissions that lead to climate
change. This will improve the quality of life for all Canadians."
ARISE Technologies Corporation, a solar engineering company based in
Kitchener, will lead the team to design and install PV panels capable
of generating 45 kilowatts of power on eight to ten new homes. The panels
on these homes will be connected to the electrical grid so they can send
surplus electricity back to the utility. The aim of the project is to
accelerate the acceptance of PV technologies in the market and to develop
a framework for expanding the program to other regions of Canada. This
project will also study the impact of solar-powered neighbourhoods from
the perspective of the electrical utility, financial institutions, and
municipal planning and bylaws.
"This pilot project is an exciting next step in solar energy becoming
a mainstream technology in Canada," said ARISE President Ian MacLellan.
"Last year in Japan, there were more than 25,000 solar homes built
and more than 100,000 systems have been installed since 1994. This project
will show in the Canadian context that solar energy can also make a significant
contribution to the environment, reduce consumers' expenses and increase
home comfort."
Other project partners include Cook Homes, Waterloo North Hydro, the
City of Waterloo, the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and Professor
Ian Rowlands of the University of Waterloo. Each partner will contribute
expertise toward supporting the development and analyzing the effects
of widespread solar energy application in residential neighbourhoods.
Ian Cook, President of local homebuilder Cook Homes is no stranger to
environmental projects in Kitchener–Waterloo. Mr. Cook was a driving
force behind the Waterloo Green Home, one of Natural Resources Canada's
most successful Advanced Houses initiatives that demonstrated renewable
energy and conservation techniques. Cook Homes was also the project developer
for Canada's first C-2000 office project, Green on the Grand. This project
in Kitchener successfully integrated multiple facets of true environmental
sustainability.
Interested homebuyers should contact ARISE to learn more about the benefits
of owning a solar home.
The Government of Canada's CCAF supports projects that have the potential
to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well as increase understanding of
climate change. The TEAM portion of the CCAF focuses on supporting investments
in developing and deploying technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,
while sustaining economic and social development.
All of the Government of Canada funding for this project is built into
the existing financial framework and is part of the Government of Canada's
$1.5-billion commitment to help address climate change.
For more information, media may contact:
Tracy Thiessen
Account Executive - Media Relations
Natural Resources Canada
(613) 992-4447
Kelly Morgan
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of the Environment
(819) 997-1441
Ian MacLellan
President
ARISE Technologies Corporation
(519) 725-2244
The following media backgrounder is also available:
- Photovoltaic Solar Homes
For more information on TEAM and other Climate Change Action Fund
projects, visit www.climatechange.gc.ca.
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