|
|
|
|
Bright News about VREC and our Clients
Solar Hot Air System at the Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC)This March 2007, VREC is in process of installing a solar hot air system to heat the basement of the Society Promoting Environmental Conservation using the sun's heat. The rather chilly basement area is home to the office of several local non-profit organizations and has needed supplemental electric heat till now. "On the last sunny day we had, the heater came on by 11:00 am and continued to run all day, until it lost the sun. The air felt quite warm coming out of it." said Karen Wristen, Executive director of SPEC.
Picture Description: The solarsheat glazed recirculating solar air heater is mounted just to the right of the window. It includes a photovoltaic panel which powers the fan that moves the sun-heated air into the room. The second picture shows VREC staff cutting the hole in the wall from inside the building to permit the air to flow into the room. The second stage of the project will duct this air and blow it with an additional solar powered fan into the basement office area. Photo credit: VREC. First Grid-Tied Photovoltaic System in North Vancouver installed by VRECThe first solar photovoltaic (PV) grid-tie system in the city of North Vancouver was installed July 23rd, 2006. The system produces clean electrical power from sunlight, and was installed on the roof of a house. This grid-tie system (where the household is able to sell electricity to the main electrical grid) is made possible under a net-metering program introduced two years ago by BC Hydro. Customers can produce their own power and sell any surplus generated to Hydro’s grid. Power can also be drawn from the grid when needed. VREC installed the first grid-tied photovoltaic system in Vancouver and is proud to install the first in North Vancouver. The system is a 1 kilowatt (kW) system. It will produce approximately 1.1 megawatt hours (MWh) annually. The system will reduce green house gas emissions by over 490 kilograms per year. The homeowner has worked to conserve energy and the system is expected to supply all of his annual electricity needs. The homeowner also assisted with the installation of his system, which was headed by VREC electrician Darren Anderson. See the photogallery for pictures of the installation in progress. Our client is delighted: "I would like to thank you guys for all your help in getting the Solar system installed. It has been a few years since I started this project and it was awesome to see it actually happen and in just a few days. Your guys help certainly made the process easier, faster, and I feel much more confident that by going this route, as opposed to DIY, that the electrical work was done professionally and will pass inspection with flying colours. Darren did a great job of managing the project, getting everyone involved, and his attention to detail would make any Virgo happy." - Doug Horn, Client, North Vancouver (see our photogallery for pictures of this project) Solar Space Heater to be Installed to Heat Environmental OrganizationThe Society Promoting Environmental Conservation, based in Vancouver has purchased a solar space heater from VREC (Vancouver Renewable Energy Cooperative) which will be installed March 2006. This system is mounted on the south exterior wall of the building and collects heat from the sun. A fan, and ducting system will blow air from the building through the collector, where it will gain warmth and then into the basement, which can use the additional heat. This type of system is useful to supplement home heating during daylight hours. The fan is powered by a solar panel, so the unit requires no additional power, and is thermostatically controlled to prevent overheating. Another use for the solar space heater is to maintain warmth and prevent mustiness within recreational cottages during the off season, and help vacationers to arrive to a warm building. VREC Teaching Course on Renewable Energy at LangaraLangara College, Saturday, March 4, 2006, 10 am to 5 pm BC Hydro’s new net-metering program has created an unprecedented opportunity for ordinary people to become producers of clean environmentally friendly power. This course introduces participants to the different types of systems that can be installed under the net-metering program including solar photovoltaic, wind and micro-hydro. It looks at the major components of each system and well as the economics of renewable energy in B.C.
Instructor: Vancouver Renewable Energy (VREC) assists homeowners and organizations installing affordable renewable energy systems. VREC installed the first net-metered system in the city of Vancouver. Our staff has over 12 years of experience training adults in corporate and post-secondary educational settings. Here's the information from the Langara Website Register Here! VREC Gets Prime Plus One Financing for CustomersVancouver Renewable Energy (VREC) and CCEC Credit Union are pleased to announce the availabililty of prime plus one financing for people buying renewable energy systems from VREC. Loans of up to $10,000 are available to help homeowners purchase a solar (sunlight-powered) hot water, space heating or electricity generating system for their home. "VREC's main purpose is to make renewable energy systems affordable to regular people, so we're really happy CCEC has made this loan available to our customers" said co-founder and board member Sophia Kelly. Customers applying for the loan will need to meet CCEC's regular lending requirements. Renewable energy is environmentally responsible energy that is not depleted by being consumed. Solar hot water system cost starts at $2000-3000 for an owner-installed kit. Solar space heaters which supplement the heat provided by a furnace cost aproximately $2000, while a home-sized grid-tied photovoltaic electricity generating system starts at about $15,000. These systems each reduce green house gases by at least 500 kg per year. About CCEC: CCEC is a Vancouver credit union formed in 1976 with the express purpose of fostering community economic development. Part of CCEC's statement of purpose is to "To support and promote responsible action in the areas of social justice, racial and sexual equality, worker democracy, and conservation." More information about CCEC: www.ccec.bc.ca Renewable Energy Certificates / Carbon Offset CreditsAs part of the International Day of Action against Climate Change on December 3rd, the Vancouver Renewable Energy Coop (VREC) launched own brand of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) also known as Carbon Offset Credits. These will be the first and only RECs to support local renewable energy projects in the Vancouver area. The launch of the RECs will take place at the BALLE BC local marketplace as part of the launch of their “Buy Local” campaign (http://buylocalsupportyourself.com/).
More information on our Carbon Offset Credit Program To purchase REC's online from VREC click here
BCSEA ReportSays 400,000 new jobs and 84,250 Gigawatt Hours of electricity could be generated in BC from sustainable, renewable energy. Read article in the Vancouver Sun: http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/news/business/story.html?id=b7d94212-3142-4edf-b456-578bb09c79d3 (VREC is a member of BCSEA)
Energy Conservation Resources
Solar Space HeatingOne things for sure, gas space heating is going to be a lot more expensive this winter. The solar space heater VREC sells is estimated to pay for itself in 3-6 years in heating savings, according its Newfoundland-based manufacturer. Here's the link to our Products & Services item. Equipment can be purchased right on our site and you can arrange for installation with VREC or easy self-install. VREC, with some assistance from CityGreen has established that these systems recieve 3 points in the EnerGuide retrofit program for grants toward these inexpensive and easy-to-install energy saving appliances. Coming soon, installation pictures and data from our first local installation at the Society Promoting Environmental Conservation, where the system will be used to warm up a cold basement..
SPEC System Launch!July 9th was the Launch of our new photovoltaic system at SPEC. Come by the SPEC building at 7th and Maple in Vancouver any day 10-4 pm and climb the stairs to the roof to see a real live grid interconnected photovoltaic system in action. We had a very successful live webcast of the opening, including solar cooked food and three bands. Many thanks to all the volunteers who installed the panels and made this system a success! (click here for photos of the installation process) VREC would like to thank Vancity, whose assistance with photovoltaic design training and equipment purchase has made recent projects possible for us.
Washington State's Incentives - Let's keep up with the neighbours!Congratulations to Washington State for passing "the most progressive renewable energy legislation ever passed in a U.S. state". Incentives in the legislation would make solar electricity systems for homeowners pay for themselves, and encourage WA production of renewable energy equipment. If BC doesn't follow suit, we may lose our renewable energy companies to the neighbours. The measure is self financing - with micro price increases to all rate payers paying for higher rates to renewable energy producers. However, if BC doesn't follow suit on this simple and revenue neutral strategy, we may lose valuable jobs and renewable energy infrastructure to Washington state. Read on for more information. British Columbia Falls Behind Neighbours on Renewable EnergyRecently passed legislation in Washington state will put it way ahead of British Columbia when it comes to promoting renewable energy. And it may cost British Columbia jobs. The new legislation consists of two bills that passed with overwhelming bi-partisan support. The first bill will give businesses or homeowners "feed-in" production incentive. A credit of 15 cents (U.S.) per kilowatt hour would be available for solar or wind systems. The credit can be increased to up to 54 cents if the system's components are manufactured in Washington State. If a similar system was adopted by the province of British Columbia it would reduce the payback of solar PV systems, like the one installed recently at SPEC in Vancouver, by over 80%. This means that the simple payback period could be less than the warranty of the major system components and would be clear incentive for generation of clean, renewable energy. The second bill offers tax incentives for renewable energy companies that set up shop in Washington state. This set of legislation has been called the most progressive renewable energy legislation in North America and is expected to make Washington State a leader clean energy production. The chairman of Burnaby, BC based Xantrex Corporation has been quoted as saying that they will evaluate moving offshore manufacturing to Washington state. More information about the Washington State legislation can be found at: http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=28478 Sweden plans to be world's first oil-free economy· 15-year limit set
for switch to renewable energy |
|
Contact Us: 778.869.8333 in Vancouver, Canada or
main@vanrenewable.org Copyright © 2006 Vancouver Renewable Energy Coop | Last modified: 08/21/08 | Site Design: www.sophiakelly.ca Special Thanks to Dave Duprey of www.Xeropolis.net for his generous support in donating our web hosting services.
|
