INNOVATION November-December 2018

The northeastern BC District of Hudson’s Hope, with a population of about 1,100, might not seem like an obvious candidate for a municipal solar installation that slashes electricity consumption and is expected to save millions over the coming decades. But municipal leaders weren’t intimidated, and now Hudson’s Hope is home to the largest municipal solar array in the province—proving you don’t have to be big to be green.

ED KNAGGS, P.ENG.

T he District of Hudson’s Hope in northeast BC is leading the way in municipal-scale solar power. More than 1.500 solar modules were installed on nine municipal facilities over the summer of 2017, producing more than 500 kilowatts of power, making it BC’s largest municipal solar project. Hudson’s Hope implemented its community solar initiative with the primary goal of offsetting ever-rising electricity costs and taking a lead role in sustainable energy solutions.

HOW THEY DID IT The project was initially spearheaded by Mayor Gwen Johansson, with help from Peace Energy Renewable Energy Cooperative, a Dawson Creek-based solar cooperative, the first of its kind in Western Canada. A community solar plan was roughed out and, in 2017, after the municipality received a federal grant, the district worked with the cooperative and Urban Systems of Fort St. John to develop a more detailed plan for the project. The project scope

P hoto : d on P ettit , P eace e nergy c ooPerative

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