Press Releases

The Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA) President & CEO, John Gorman joined Banff Mayor, Karen Sorensen today to officially inaugurate the new rooftop solar photovoltaic system on the Banff Town Hall.

The project is designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions generated by municipal operations, and to inspire local businesses and residents to convert their own electricity source to solar. With a 72 Conergy panel system the Town Hall solar project is the most extensive photovoltaic panel installation in the Bow Valley to date.

“Solar energy is the dominant renewable energy globally,” said Gorman. “With the unveiling of this clean energy project, the town of Banff is demonstrating once again that it is a Canadian leader in sustainable practices. I’m thrilled to be here with Mayor Sorensen to mark this initiative.”

In addition to environmental benefits, solar energy supports more jobs than any other energy source, and with continued investment in solar technology, electricity consumers of tomorrow will be able to interactively manage their electricity consumption through smart grid and smart home technologies.

“Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption are Community Plan objectives”, said Mayor Karen Sorensen. “We have an obligation as a national park community to be a model in environmental management. We value our beautiful Rocky Mountain environment and we will do what we should to preserve it for future generations.”

Developed by Calgary’s SkyFire Energy, the system is expected to generate about 17,109 kilowatts per year, which would fully power at least three Banff households a year. A monitor in the lobby of Town Hall will display real-time readings of electricity generated, equivalent uses, and emissions saved.

Chad Townsend, the town’s environmental coordinator estimates they will save about 11 tonnes in C02 emissions per year, compared to electricity generated by fossil fuels in Alberta. “The Town will receive a monthly utility bill with the amount of power generated subtracted from the amount of power used”, said Townsend. “In a typical household, solar panels pay for themselves after about 10 years, but with a lifespan of at least 20 years, solar is a very worthwhile investment not only environmentally but also economically.”

The total project cost, including all equipment, installation and permits, is $53,000, funded through the Fortis municipal rate rider on electricity.

Dyesol has been named the ‘Coolest Company in Australia,’ beating 100 finalists to the top spot as well as winning the Innovation Award at the Australian Anthill Cool Company Awards, the second largest business awards in Australia that attracts over 900 nominations and applications each year.

The African Development Bank’s (AfDB) work in clean energy financing received some welcome recognition last week from Asian Development Bank President (ADB) Takehiko Nakao.

Soitec and SunEdison, Inc. announced today that they have entered into a patent cross-license agreement relating to silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer products.

A new insight based on a ‘2013 Search for Growth’ survey identifies new areas of growth.

As energy bills look to go up yet again — the “big six” recently announced energy hikes ranging from under 4% to almost 11% — one investment-savvy chicken farm in Wales will be enjoying reduced electricity bills this winter.

Emerson Industrial Automation’s modular grid-tie inverter technology provides scalable solutions.

New frame improves performance and saves transport and storage costs.

Buen Power Peru receives a $100,000 grant from USAID to pursue a radical new distribution method for rural electrification. Using local teachers as their delivery vehicle, Buen Power will reach thousands of families in some of the hardest to reach communities in Peru off the electrical grid.

The Energy Storage 2014 conference and exhibition is collaborating with the OTTI’s (East Bavarian Technology Transfer Institute) Power to Gas Conference and the VDE Financial Dialogue Europe 2014 event staged by the VDE Institute (Association for Electrical, Electronic and Information Technologies).