"Investing and partnering in this project will help to demonstrate how easily and effectively residential solar water heaters can be incorporated in new home construction, making the homes more efficient and attractive to potential buyers," said Mr. Mayes. "This investment is also a demonstration of how our government is keeping its commitment to reduce harmful emissions by ensuring that clean, renewable power from the sun, wind and oceans plays an increasingly important role in Canada's energy mix."
The Government of Canada's contribution, amounting to approximately 20 percent of the total cost of purchasing and installing the solar water heating systems, will be delivered through the ecoENERGY for Renewable Heat initiative.
Partners in the Thermo Matrix Solar Project include Tigress Ventures Environmental Consulting, Thermo Matrix and Illingworth Developments.
"We are very excited to be bringing a large-scale installation of solar hot water systems to the sunny interior of B.C. and hope this project will encourage homeowners and businesses to explore the energy-saving opportunities and contact one of our local solar hot water installers," said Bill Potts of Thermo Matrix.
Seven renewable energy projects were announced in British Columbia, Alberta and Prince Edward Island under the ecoENERGY for Renewable programs.
Water heating accounts for between 20 and 25 percent of the average household's energy use. A solar water-heating system can meet up to 60 percent of a Canadian home's hot water needs and, depending on the energy source it replaces, can cut energy costs by more than $300 a year - while reducing household greenhouse gas emissions by one tonne annually.
In addition to a marketing and communications program to raise awareness of the benefits of solar water heating systems among residents of the Okanagan and throughout B.C., the project also includes a detailed evaluation component that will help to support future decisions on the use of the systems.
The ecoENERGY for Renewable Heat program is one of a series of ecoENERGY initiatives through which the Government of Canada is investing more than $3.6 billion to increase Canada's supply of clean, renewable energy and help Canadians reduce their energy costs and emissions. The initiatives are a key part of the Government of Canada's Turning the Corner plan to fight climate change by achieving an absolute reduction of 20 percent in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020.
