Chemainus – Re: Solar power in the Cowichan Valley In a recent letter Ms. Wallace states that Germany receives less hours of sunshine than the Cowichan Valley.
Germany is a big country; a country average is misleading. More to the point, what are the average hours of sunshine where the solar generators are located? For example maps by ecosmartsun.com show that the east Kootenay and Okanagan enjoy between 2,200 and 2,600 plus units of solar energy yield while Cowichan receives between 1,800 and 2,000 units. (To reduce B.C.’s dependence on conventional power sources these higher yield areas are the obvious locations for solar generation, not Cowichan.) No doubt there is similar range of solar energy yield across Germany and the high areas are seeing the majority of solar generation. If individuals choose to generate solar energy after crunching the numbers, speculating on future hydro costs or for ideological reasons that is one thing. However solar energy generation is definitely not an area for local government “investment”.
Local government has a mandate to provide basic services, but not electricity. Tax dollars are not paid to local government to fund forays into ventures that are far from their expertise nor are taxes levied to subsidize private solar installations. Anyone who thinks that government can efficiently generate and distribute solar power must be happy with BC Ferries, BC Hydro, Canada Post and other such government ventures.
Don Graham
Chemainus
