Camrose Energy is excited to announce that Phase II of the Camrose Habitat for Humanity ReStore Solar Photovoltaic (PV) array is complete!
Habitat Camrose, a Camrose Energy Community Partner since we opened in 2013, completed Phase I in 2018 and the results have been outstanding – enough to confidently move ahead with the second phase.
The first stage saw 25 solar panels installed on the roof of the ReStore retail outlet, and was made possible through over $26,750 in government grants and sponsorship/donations from Solar Harvest, Green Alberta Energy and, of course, Camrose Energy.
The panels, which can generate 325 watts of electricity each, produced enough electricity for Habitat Camrose to reduce their annual consumption from the grid by nearly 13,000 KWh. By comparison, this is close to the annual electricity use of two average Alberta homes. The Camrose Habitat matrix reduces approximately 14,000 pounds of carbon dioxide entering the environment or the equivalent of 263 trees every year.
What’s that mean for the non-profit?
Cody McCarroll, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Camrose, said the transition to becoming a micro power generator has made a huge difference in helping the organization realize its ultimate goal – to provide opportunities for families to achieve affordable and sustainable home ownership as a means of breaking the cycle of poverty and strengthening communities.
“At the ReStore, it’s helped to lower our operating costs, which in turn helped increase the funds available to help build homes,” Cody explained, adding that the shift toward this greener energy options is positive.
Cody admits that while construction of the ReStore building didn’t include a plan for solar generation, it has provided “the perfect roof surface.” The roof is high, flat and allows for an unobstructed installation of the south-facing solar panels.
“We’re making the necessary steps to a greener, less carbon-dependant future,” he added. “We are on the front end of the movement. Phase II will produce more energy than we consume, so we will be selling the surplus back to the power grid.”
Cody notes that without the support and sponsorship from Camrose Energy, Solar Harvest, Green Alberta Energy and the grants received for the project, it wouldn’t be possible for the organization to transition into solar power without impacting Habitat Camrose’s ability to provide sustainable and affordable homeownership.
The Future in Phase II
In Phase II, 22 larger PV panels capable of generating a combined 8,900 watts of electricity were installed in the middle of February 2021. We predict that the expansion could reduce Habitat Camrose’s off-grid power consumption by an additional 11,000kWh… that’s the equivalent of preventing 10,000 more pounds of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere or equivalent offset of 208 more trees every year.
Talk about another good news environmental story for Camrose!
Know what’s also great about Phase II at Habitat Camrose? Any generated electricity that’s not consumed by the facility is sold back to the power grid. By integrating and expanding the solar array it will not only save them money in the years to come, it will be an added income source! Talk about a great win-win opportunity they’re taking advantage of.
Accrding to our conservative estimates, this should save Habitat significantly over the 30 year guarantee of the solar PV array.
However, the financial windfall comes from more than just powering the building and selling their surplus electricity back to the grid. Habitat also saves on the transmission, distribution and municipal access fees paid by every power customer across the province.
Money which can be used to build homes in Camrose.
At Camrose Energy, we are ecstatic about the long-term residual savings that the project will bring for Habitat; there’s been so much pressure placed on non-profits through the Covid-19 pandemic that anything that can be done to lighten the financial burden for them is a positive in a year of negatives.
We love that the implications of Phase I and II are environmentally friendly, but for Habitat Camrose the benefits will be felt well beyond the 30-year guaranteed life of the system. This not only reduces the building’s environmental impact, but the reduction in operational money dedicated to purchasing electricity will help Habitat Camrose provide strength, stability and self-reliance.
Over the course of 30 years, we anticipate a savings of $100, 000 with the combination of Solar Club and the the Solar system.
Savings through the Solar Club
The Solar Club, which is designed for MicroGen producers who generate more electricity than they consume, provides incredible savings for its members…like Habitat Camrose.
Designed with rates for high and low power demand periods, customers can toggle between these rates based on their system production. When a MicroGen is producing surplus energy, the excess is credited to their account at a rate of $0.24/kWh. Then when lower production occurs just toggle to the lower seasonal rate of $0.071/hWh.
The credits on their account can be used to pay down future bills – which again gives producers like Habitat Camrose new opportunities to use cash that would be otherwise paying for electricity.
But the Solar Club isn’t just for industrial, commercial or operators of large properties. I’ve been a huge proponent of solar power for years having installed a solar array on my own home; as a Solar Club member I haven’t purchased electricity for the past two years!
Commitment to Green Power
And it doesn’t stop there – every February we give five percent of the cost of power purchased from the grid back to the Solar Club members. It’s like the gift that keeps on giving…giving green.
More about Habitat for Humanity – Affordable home ownership model
With the help of volunteers and generous donors, Habitat for Humanity Camrose builds decent and affordable homes that provide a solid foundation for people to build better, healthier lives. Habitat homeowners volunteer up to 500 hours and pay a low interest, affordable mortgage – inline with their income – to buy their home. The affordable mortgage payments go into a revolving fund allowing Habitat for Humanity to build additional homes, providing more people with affordable home ownership opportunities.
Habitat Camrose also operates the ReStore retail outlet, located at 5007 46 Street, which accepts donations from the public and their corporate partners of furniture, building materials & supplies, appliances, housewares, lighting, sporting goods and electronics. These items are resold and the profits help fund the Habitat for Humanity builds in Camrose.
Camrose Energy Community Partner Program
We believe strongly in supporting our community and, based on each customer’s preference, 10% of our profits are shared among four organizations in Camrose: Battle River Watershed Alliance, Habitat for Humanity, Canadian Mental Health Association and The Open Door, and our new Solar Synergy Program We value the opportunity these organizations give us to support the community which has supported us for almost a decade. Our Community Partners are changing and saving lives, and we are grateful for the opportunity to empower them in our own small way.
This is what drives us to do better and to continue to grow our business
