Columbia Basin Trust Grant Applications Due By Jan 7th, 2019
I haven't heard too much public information and wonder if this information is getting out.
The Columbia Basin is a large area encompassing the East Kootenays and hopefully the
Nelson area will be able to take advantage of some of this available grant money.
1. Get your application in as soon as possible
2. I am sure the RDCK director for Area E , who was instrumental in getting the Balfour solar projects installed can assist.
3. The manager of Nelson Hydro should be able to assist as well. They are an award winning example of renewable energy.
CBT HAS $900,000 FOR COMMUNITY ALTERNATE ENERGY SYSTEMS
What projects are eligible:
This program will support projects that create opportunities for alternative & renewable energy generation at Community Purpose Buildings.
To be selected for funding, projects must demonstrate a positive return on investment .
Click here for Application Information
Balfour has Solar power systems on their Golf ClubHouse, Community Hall and Seniors Centre
Your public buildings too can save on their electric bills.
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| Above aerial view of the Balfour Golf clubhouse with 40kW of solar panels The Nelson hydro bylaw limits one to a maximum of 25kW per installation. The Balfour clubhouse has 40 kW installed, because they have two meters. Depending on how many meters you have you should qualify for 25kW of solar per meter. The Pembina Institute did the application for the Balfour systems, I understand their director lives in Nelson. The Pembina Institute is a non profit group who can assist anyone with renewable energy. The example below shows the Pembina Institutes information regarding the Balfour seniors centre and how much they will save. The system would save the community group approximately $1,133/year. Since the system produces more electricity than the building consumes, although in winter not enough electricity would be produced to satisfy the buildings’ demand and hence the community group will have a utility bill, summer months will see excess electricity production and they will build up a credit. Of the $1,133/year, they will see $658/year in savings in utility bills and $475/year in revenue from selling electricity to the grid. Although every building is different the above is for a small 9.1kW system. If one could install a 25kW system which is 2.75 x larger. One might achieve an annual savings as above $1133/yr x 2.75 = $3112/yr Imagine what your community groups can do with these kinds of savings on your electric bills. The Nelson Community Solar Garden |
Another example of a community project installing renewable solar energy in Nelson.
A city project where one could buy a 25 year contract for the power made from a solar panel.
I would suggest the manager of Nelson hydro could assist you in your application for CBT grant funding to install your community buildings solar system.
There are multiple publications showing that solar garden would pay for itself in 12- 15 years.
This article for example says panels generate clean, pollution-free electricity each month, customers receive "solar credits" that are deducted from their electricity bill.
Kootenay Biz mag says Nelson Hydro is projecting a return on investment in 12 to 15 years
There are numerous other public articles some saying return in as little as 10 years.
That doesn't apply for a CBT grant, the grant will supply up to 75% of the project costs.
I am sure creative financing could occur so the return is IMMEDIATE. By looking at how the Pembina Institute helped Balfour I would suspect they are very proficient at techniques to achieve full funding.
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| ex Nelson Mayor Kozak holding UBCM award for the Nelson Community Solar garden left to right Alex Love, manager of Nelson hydro, Carmen Proctor contractor for the solar garden now Nelson hydro manager, Mayor Kozak and Trish Dehnel, Community Energy Association You may want to contact the Community Energy Association for assistance in your application RDCK director Ramona Faust received her application information showing a positive payback for investment from the Pembina Institute You can read it here The city of Nelson Hydro manager P Eng also has a consultants report showing a payback you might contact him for some assistance for your application. |
