Correspondence from City of Colwood re: Solar Incentives
A letter inviting View Royal to participate in the expansion of the 'Solar Colwood' incentive program for solar hot water systems.
File: 5280-30-SOL-17976
Date: February 28, 2013
Mayor Graham Hill Town of View Royal 45 View Royal Avenue Victoria, BC V9B 1A6
Dear Mayor Hill:
Re: Solar incentives coming to your municipality
The City of Colwood is pleased to be able to work with the CRD to extend the benefits of the Solar Colwood program to homeowners and business owners in your municipality, beginning in April 2014.
Previously only offered to Colwood residents, Colwood has negotiated with Natural Resources Canada and partnered with the Capital Regional District (CRD) to expand the program and extend financial incentives to all municipalities throughout the region. The CRD will take on outreach and marketing of the regional program.
Promote Clean Energy Options
The goals of the Solar Colwood program were broader than achieving a set number of installations. The program has been instrumental in raising awareness about a wide range of clean energy options and demonstrating that solar energy solutions are an affordable and effective way to reduce energy use and save money.
Create Jobs
The program has also fostered local skill development and innovation, creating a business network and educating a number of local business owners to help them incorporate solar installations into their business. The Solar Colwood program even helped to spur the development of a new, efficient and cost effective solar hot water system, developed at Camosun College.
Move toward Sustainability
In addition to helping homeowners and businesses become "energy champions", the Solar Colwood program has played a role in reducing Colwood's corporate GHG emissions by 22% since 2007. It is our hope that by making these grants available to all CRD municipalities, it will help our entire region move toward energy sustainability and surpass greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.
Foster Partnerships
We have worked hard to create partnerships that build on the momentum of organizations and communities who are striving toward energy sustainability and working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This year, Solar Colwood has been recognized as a leader in this area by the UBCM, the World Wildlife Federation, the Real Estate Foundation of BC and others. We are grateful that other provinces and other countries have taken notice of and been encouraged by this program. Now we're excited to partner with the CRD so that the capital region will become a model others will look to as they seek to collaborate on sustainability solutions.
For more details, contact the Solar Colwood Program at 250.216.7527.
More background about Solar Colwood can be found at www.solarcolwood.ca.
Sincerely,
Carol Hamilton Mayor of Colwood
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