A new society is hoping to shine a light on solar energy at a day-long fair being organized for Penticton.
First Things First Okanagan was launched two years ago and became a registered society recently. It was formed to engage the public in a dialogue about climate change and promote action to reduce society’s carbon footprint.
One of the first of the society’s undertakings is Solar Fair: A Symposium on Solar Energy, that will take place March 12 in the Centre of Excellence at Okanagan College Penticton campus.
“Our goal is to showcase what is possible and to give people a reason to think about alternative energy sources,” said Jim Beattie, one of the organizers of First Things First. “It’s not enough to talk about the impact of climate change, we need to be thinking about what we can do about it in a proactive manner.”
While the solar fair is aimed at the public, it has another important audience in its sights, municipal leaders.
“Our local governments can be among the most effective in helping change direction and influencing individual behaviour,” said Beattie. “We are inviting mayors, councillors, rural representatives, chief administrative officers and planners to our fair and have arranged Josha MacNab of the Pembina Institute to give a special keynote address focused on the municipal audience.”
MacNab has consulted with communities on ways to reduce their carbon footprint. She attended and has written about the recent Paris Climate Change summit. MacNab will also give a second keynote address for the public.
“This is a good way to use what we have been able to accomplish at the college to help showcase the opportunities that are at hand for individuals and local governments,” said Donna Lomas, regional dean for the South Okanagan and Similkameen.
The Solar Fair runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 12 and is free and open to the public. Opening ceremonies take place at 9 a.m.
The fair will include seminars by experts on solar equipment and installation, building design, energy management, community solar arrays and the wider field of green technologies.
There is also a panel discussion on the practical aspects of solar installations, including cost/benefit analysis, tours and a seminar led by staff and students of the Centre of Excellence, which itself boasts a number of green technologies, including a large solar array on the roof. A student-built solar house will also be presented.
As well, the fair includes displays by solar installation companies, testimonials from businesses and citizens who have installed solar systems, a presentation by staff and students of the, three-year Sustainable Construction Management program alongside displays by climate change and alternate energy advocacy groups.
