EDMONTON JUNE 5 & 6, CALGARY JUNE 12 & 13, LETHBRIDGE JUNE 19
Have you wanted to know more about how to make your home more environmentally friendly, but were too afraid to ask? Don’t be shy – we have a unique opportunity coming up that will help you see firsthand how people just like you are making an environmental impact in their homes and businesses.
Camrose Energy is excited to be part of the Eco-Solar Tour event in Edmonton on June 5th and 6th, in Calgary on June 12th and 13th, and in Lethbridge on June 19th as well as to be a sponsor for the Edmonton and Lethbridge tours.
We have participated in past Eco-Solar Tours, and there’s always something new and interesting to see – each tour features so many eco-friendly initiatives: from Passive Houses and electric vehicles to greywater systems and food forests! We find this event so interesting we actually made it a family trip to Calgary Echo Solar Tour in 2019.
WHAT IS THE ECO-SOLAR TOUR?
The Eco-Solar Tour organizes free open house-style tours of homes and businesses featuring practical and timely examples of sustainability including renewable energy (solar, wind, and geothermal), energy security, energy efficiency, water efficiency, low emission technologies and natural landscaping.
Guests of the tour can see how homes and businesses are reducing their utility bills, reducing carbon emissions and helping to reduce their environmental footprint.
TOUR CHANGES FOR 2021 – WE’RE GOING VIRTUAL!
This year the tour is virtual, which means guests can see so much more without leaving the comfort of their own home! Five tour days are planned with unique schedules for each day. Pick the EDMONTON, CALGARY, or LETHBRIDGE homes that you want to see and make sure you log in to the zoom call during the home’s scheduled time.
Each home will highlight its unique features, and then participants can speak with the homeowners to find out more about their innovations and unique approach to energy efficiency.
WHAT WILL I SEE ON THE TOUR?
What interests you? Solar electricity or energy efficiency? Geothermal heating or permaculture landscaping? Retrofit or new construction? The Tour will showcase some of the best examples of energy-efficient ideas – discover how you can take steps to reduce your gas, electricity and water use, save money and lower your environmental footprint!
And the tour isn’t just about adding solar panels to your home; since solar electric technologies are just one aspect of making a home energy efficient. The homes on the Eco-Solar Tour feature many other ideas from new lighting, water efficiency, improved insulation and windows, efficient landscaping, carbon footprint reduction ideas, and many more.
NET-ZERO ENERGY
So, what is this Net-Zero Energy (NZE) that is featured on the tour? It can be defined as a home that generates as much energy as it consumes in a year. Of course, for various reasons, not everyone can get all the way to an NZE home. Our tour features many other homes where energy-efficient technologies are demonstrated. Whether you are looking for a little or a lot of energy efficiency the tour has many examples that you can take away and use on your own home.
WHO SHOULD COME?
Whether you are renting or buying, building or renovating, doing your research or just about to make a big decision, the Eco-Solar Home Tour will provide you with information and ideas to make your home and lifestyle more sustainable. There’s something for everyone – from the homeowner, builder and design professional to trades workers and students.
WHAT DOES IT COST?
Through the generosity of our sponsors and volunteers, the Eco-Solar Home Tour is absolutely free! Simply go to the EDMONTON, CALGARY, or LETHBRIDGE homes pages to pick the homes you want to see. Then tune in during their scheduled tour times. You do not need to register in advance for the tour.
ONE OF THE FEATURED HOMES – ADRIAN BOLLARD
Adrian is a Camrose Energy customer and his home is part of this year’s tour. Here is what he has to say about being part of the Solar Club, the move to adding solar panels to his home and his experience with us.
Solar Clubs are a great way to boost the payback on investing in home solar panels. During your months of net exporting ( March – September in our case) you switch to a higher kWh rate (~26¢). For the net exported kWh‘s that’s the credit you will receive. Some months our entire bill becomes a credit even after transmission fees and metering charges etc. In the months of net import, you switch back to a lower rate (~6¢, the current price is 7.1¢), similar to regular electric services.
Green energy kWh’s are worth a premium on the grid for a few reasons. Many non-solar customers choose to have a percentage of their electric consumption sourced from carbon-free sources and pay a premium for it to help reduce their carbon footprint. Also, many large corporations have committed to being Net Zero and are busy buying up green energy contracts to fulfill these commitments. Plus fossil fuel-free power generation is not charged the large emitters carbon levee applied to coal and gas-powered producers, making the green kWh’s more favourable on the grid.
If you’re considering going solar, ensure you maximize the size of your array to not only cover your current usage but make allowances for an electric vehicle(s) and even an electric heat pump to replace your furnace. In the meantime, the surplus production will pay handsome dividends with your supplier’s Solar Club.
We highly recommend Camrose Energy. They are easy to deal with and no spending hours on hold trying to get through to the right person as can happen with larger utility providers. Prices are competitive and the personal touch is a pleasant difference. Despite the name, they offer service across Alberta.
Adrian Bollard
Solar-club member with Camrose Energy
I hope you can also take a few minutes to watch a video of Adrian’s Near-Net Zero home in Airdrie – his story is so inspiring!
Until the tour gets underway, you can help promote this great event by getting the tour listed in your community newsletter/ Facebook page, bring it up at your association meetings, talk about the tour at your work, whatever you can do will help us demonstrate that energy efficiency is something that everyone can do.
We hope to see many of our Camrose Energy customers join us on the tour – even if you come away with one or two ideas to become a little bit more energy efficient and environmentally proactive, it will be time well spent!
