Is solar power effective in our grey and rainy climate?

“In coastal BC, a 1 kW solar panel will generate around 1,100 kWh a year. In sunny Kamloops and Kelowna it will generate 1,200 kWh.” -- BC Sustainable Energy Association. The average annual electricity consumption per BC household is 11,000 kWh.

How can solar power be used?

• Home heating and electricity
• Hot-water tank heating
• Pool heating
• Institutional heating (for example, the solar panels on the Maple Ridge Leisure Centre are part of the municipality's target of 33% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020)

Is solar power cost effective?

• Energy generated by solar panels costs between $1 -$3 per watt ($2 - $4 if installation costs are included)
• BC Hydro's Net Metering program allows BC Hydro customers to get credit for excess energy production that is fed back to the grid from their solar installation.
• A small-scale solar installation will not yield a financial return in the short term. They are a long-term investment. The BC Sustainable Energy Association predicts that solar will reach “grid parity” prices around 2027 for residential installations. Given that solar panels have a typical life of at least 25 years, solar panels will generate a return during the last half of the life-span.