July 28, 2009
(Red Deer, Alberta) – The City of Red Deer always desires to be an environmental leader in Alberta. Red Deerians can now boast that the city has the most solar power sites in Alberta on a per capita basis, and a number of those sites are generating significant power from the sun.
“The benefits we are seeing of The City’s solar power sites will impact our community today and in the future,” said Ligong Gan, Manager, Electric Light & Power department. “Every 1,100 kWh (kilowatt hour) of green power means a reduction of one ton of carbon dioxide emission, which is the same as taking 80 cars off the road for one day. Over time, that’s a pretty big impact.”
Red Deer currently has eight solar panels sites, including Civic Yards, Kerrywood Nature Centre and several other residential houses in Inglewood, Lancaster and Rosedale. One home in Lancaster generated almost 1,000 kWh of green electricity into the grid during the month of July, and the additional capacity to the new Civic Yard site, once completed, will have the ability to generate more than 2,000 kWh in a summer months.
Since last year, the Electric Light & Power department has greatly improved the application process for small generation like solar panels to make it more convenient for homeowners to get the necessary approvals and permits. Customers used to send papers to many regulatory agents for approvals. Now it is a one-stop service. They only need to fill out a one-page application form, and Electric Light & Power will take care of the rest. Electric, Light & Power will make any necessary changes to the delivery network and meters at no cost to the homeowner, if they choose to install solar panels.
Homeowners interested in solar energy are encouraged to visit The City’s website at www.reddeer.ca.
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For more information, please contact:
Ligong Gan Garfield Lee
Manager, Electric Light & Power department Senior Electrical Distribution Engineer
The City of Red Deer The City of Red Deer
403-342-8341 403-342-8302
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