Banff’s unique incentive program to get residents to plug into solar is earning praise and recognition.
The Town of Banff is one of 12 finalists up for an environmental award in the 25th annual Emerald Awards run by the Alberta Emerald Foundation for its solar photovoltaic production incentive program. There were 70 entries and awards will be presented June 8.
“We’re deeply honoured to be a finalist for this prestigious award,” said Randall McKay, the Town of Banff’s planning and development manager.
“I can’t think of a better way to inspire positive change in an environmental practice than our solar PV production program and this recognition will help spread the word to other communities.”
In February of last year, Banff town council approved a production incentive program for solar photovoltaic panel systems.
It’s believed to be the first municipal solar feed-in tariff in Canada, encouraging residential and commercial property owners to install solar photovoltaic systems that produce renewable electricity.
The program requires qualifying homeowners to pay for installation of the solar system, and then they receive a top-up payment over seven years to help make the solar investment more affordable.
The Town is using $300,000 from its environmental reserve fund to pay for the program, which is funded from municipal franchise fees paid to the Town of Banff by the utility companies. The program has proven popular and is managed through a lottery system.
Since 1992, the Emerald Awards have recognized more than 475 finalists and 280 recipients who have demonstrated creative thinking and innovation in environmental management systems, technologies and education programs.
“Whether it’s schools, industry, government, non-governmental agencies, large or small companies, anyone can be acknowledged for their ingenuity in sustainable practices,” said Aaron Dublenko, past Emerald Award recipient and member of the current judging panel.
“Such recognition reminds us that despite the many pressures our air, water and soil face, people are working tirelessly to use less, reduce their footprints and educate others on how to do the same.”
A solar photovoltaic system has no minimum requirement of sunny hours to work, and will generate power even on cloudy days, as long as the panels are not shaded by trees or other structures.
Research shows wind is not a viable way to produce energy in Banff, but solar potential across southern Alberta is high, especially when compared to international solar leaders, Germany, and Ontario, where production incentives already exist.
