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The SC Community Solar Association James Pawley Legacy solar array has been helping the Sechelt Seniors Activity Centre save on energy bills for five months!

Our first community solar installation of 28 panels was mounted on the Sechelt Senior Activity Centre (SSAC) in March. The official launch of the solar array/unveiling of the commemorative plaque had to be postponed due to Covid-19.  In conjunction with the SSAC, we are pleased to announce that there will be a virtual unveiling by Zoom on:

 
Friday, August 21 2020 at 2 pm
 

Hosted by the SSAC, the SCCSA and the Pawley family, you can see the event live by requesting the Zoom code from the Solar Association at our email address: suncoastcsa@gmail.com. We will also stream the event live from our FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/SCcommunitysolar
 

~ A big thank you to the many people who contributed to this project ~         We are grateful to the Sunshine Coast Credit Union for its generous contribution and to Olson Electric/APS who have collaborated with both parties to install the most extensive array possible. Solar power will help defray the Senior Centre's operating costs for years to come. 


This is the second part of Donovan Whistler's discussion of four pilot projects. The first two were discussed in our March newsletter. We apologize for the lapse of news - yet another thing to be blamed on Covid-19!

Energy Storage Trial — Tesla Powerwalls:
    This program was announced this past December, following a presentation at a Pacific Energy Innovations Association (PEIA) meeting held at BC Hydro headquarters. The presentation profiled a trial program involving electricity grid load management in Australia, involving residential hosts integrating solar PV and Tesla Powerwalls so the electrical utility could remotely control the Powerwalls to manage grid loads, drawing on them for energy backflow as needed.
      My application to the program was accepted and the Powerwall installed in early February. Luckily I had done a electrical load system upgrade! The program scope is not tied to solar PV, and will not involve drawing battery power back on to the grid. The Powerwall provides energy internally to the residential electrical system during peak grid load periods.

Peak Rewards Program — Incentives to Limit Energy Usage:
     This program has just been introduced, and I believe is still open to applicants and is not limited to lower Mainland residences; those with approved EV chargers (FLO X5) or smart thermostats (Sinopé) that will allow BC Hydro to control remotely. During grid peak load periods, BC Hydro will reduce the energy usage of the EV chargers, or lower the temperature settings of the thermostats and participants will be financially compensated.

    This program provides an important clue to how tariff rate options might be changed in the future. My point being that there are opportunities to collaborate with BC Hydro based on these pilot programs. I'd like to think that as a matter of government relations, that the SCCSA could consider promoting ideas for future pilot programs that directly involve solar PV, perhaps integrating battery storage. Approaching BC Hydro with a proposal for a solar PV virtual net-metering pilot project might be a way to bridge the current tariff structure gap limiting such projects. 


Check out this CBC newsletter

 'What on Earth', highlights "trends and solutions  moving us to a more sustainable world"

https://subscriptions.cbc.ca/listmanagement/forms/whatonearth


 



 
 

The Solar Association has re-started its committee to advocate for solar and ev infrastructure with local governments. We are currently working to help facilitate a solar array on the roof of the Gibsons Recreation Centre, which has a perfect roof for it, not to mention high electric utility bills. If you are interested in serving on this committee that will be reaching out to a variety of organizations and investigating grants and funding programs, please contact us at:

suncoastcsa@gmail.com

 
 


Have you checked out our Facebook Page lately? The Squamish Alternative Energy Group also has a neat FB Page


 
Here's a link to EV charging etiquette tips: 



 
 Did you know that SCCSA membership renewals and new memberships as of September 1st are good for the rest of the current year plus the following year? As a volunteer organization, we rely on membership fees to cover basic expenses and supplies. Help us by becoming a member! 
 
https://suncoastcommsolar.weebly.com 


 
Copyright © 2020 Sunshine Coast Community Solar Association, All rights reserved.


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