Solar power is a hot topic in the South Okanagan these days, as both Penticton and Summerland are developing plans to build solar arrays.
Related: Penticton looking to build a smart grid
Related: Summerland planning solar project to power community
It makes a lot of sense, especially for communities that operate their own electric utility — as both Penticton and Summerland do. Every watt of power generated locally is one less that has to be purchased from FortisBC or another wholesaler.
Developing an alternate source of energy, like solar, is also important from an environmental, reduced carbon footprint point of view. That’s been known for decades, but didn’t play into decision-making processes until the efficiency rose and the price dropped for these installations.
But as the Western News’ stories on these community solar generators are being discussed in online forums, there are calls for the local governments to go further and require new buildings incorporate solar as part of their design.
It’s a good idea. Many people have already added solar to their buildings as a way to both lower their costs in the long run and be environmentally sensitive in the near future. Okanagan College Penticton is certainly reaping the benefits from the solar and other sustainable features built into the Centre of Excellence.
But even though the cost of solar arrays is falling, it’s still too expensive for the city to make it a requirement. But the city could offer incentives to make adding solar panels attractive, perhaps by offering lowered development cost charges or making it part of an economic investment zone bylaw.
Building owners would benefit by reducing reliance on purchased electricity, and the city would benefit from surplus power being fed back into the grid.
That’s not likely to happen today, or even in the near future. But it’s good to see that the long-awaited promise of solar, wind and other alternate energy sources is finally being turned into real-world, workable applications.