Solar Domestic Hot Water in Canada

Natural Resources Canada Develops Solar Thermal Residential Pilot Initiative

Natural Resources Canada, through the ecoENERGY for Renewable Heat Program, has developed a $9 Million residential pilot project and will allow local gas & electric utilities, homebuilders, municipalities, etc. to encourage the deployment of solar domestic hot water systems in homes across Canada. The federal department is currently accepting proposals until September 28, 2007 which aim to install at least 200 solar hot water heating units into single family, townhouses and semi detached homes.

Natural Resources Canada spokes person has stated, “It’s going to be a revolution. It’s going to change the dynamics of the water heating marketplace in Canada.”

Natural Resources Canada predicts utilities will offer several options, including installing systems in homes for free but charging homeowners a monthly rental fee—just as many people now pay for a gas-fired or electric hot water tank. Utilities could also sell the entire systems to homeowners, set up a rent-to-own plan, or create a system where residents pay just for the energy used to heat their water.

Elizabeth McDonald, executive director of the Canadian Solar Industries Association, said solar water systems will save significant amounts of energy and money for homeowners.

“Once they see that it works, I think the adoption rates will increase rapidly,” she said. “The utilities know the pressures of electricity ... and so it’s also good for them to become involved in the renewable area.”

This pilot project is part of the Federal Government’s $36 Million ecoENERGY initiative announced in January 2007 and is expected to last for 3 years or until the money runs out. Natural Resources Canada is expected to make a decision on the winning projects later this year in November.

For more information please visit the CanSIA Member’s Area under Opportunities at http://www.cansia.ca/members/login.asp

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