General Meeting Minutes
April 20, 2011, 12 noon
Parksville Community & Conference Centre
In Attendance: Michelle Jones, Chair Nigel Cavanaugh
John Larson York Langerfeld
Guy Fletcher Gary Bentham
Jeff Hale Dave Scott
Susanne Hale James Klassen
Maureen Pilcher Adam Jillood
Marlene Feddema George Hanson
Linda Stoltz Duane Round
Kim Burden Bob Dean
Glenn McCurrie Peter Zimmerman
Maya Charnell Hal Martyn
Helen Sims Jim King
Ken MacDowell Dave Bryan
Jamie Larson
Marilyn Hayden, Recording Secretary
Liaisons: Robert Harary, City of Parksville Director of Engineering & Operations
Guests: Laurie Schuerbeke, Skilled Trades Employment Program (STEP)
Blair Roche, Skilled Trades Employment Program (STEP)
Regrets from Liaisons: Councillor Mary Brouilette, Town of Qualicum Beach
Councillor Al Greir, City of Parksville
Guest Speaker, Bruce Gray, CEO Solaris Manufacturing Inc.
In Denise Sakai, President’s absence, Michelle Jones, Vice President called for Introductions around the table and turned the meeting over to Bruce Gray for his presentation.
Bruce Gray, Solaris
· Bruce Gray presented an educational solar panel presentation.
· Predicted that there will be 100,000 solar roofs installed by 2020, currently 1,000 roofs.
· Check out the Website: solar-hot-water.ca
Questions:
· California receives 340 days of sunshine in a year, how does solar work out for island sunshine hours?
o It is not the direct sunlight that actually heats, the green house effect plays the biggest part.
· How does a snow load a effect the performance?
o The panels are typically mounted at a sufficient angle that snow will slide off rather than accumulate. Snow will not effect the performance.
· Do you carry only water solar systems or will you also be getting into electrical solar panels as well?
o At the present time concentrating on water systems, but will likely expand into the electrical in future.
· What are the costs?
o On a 2,000 sq. ft. home for 4 people the retail cost is $4,000 with rebates of $2,300 for retro fit. Installation costs +. Installation will take 1-2 days. New house construction would be cheaper.
· Is the solar panel removable for repairs to the roof?
o Yes, it is removable for roof repairs, the panel is made out of glass, aluminum and copper and is removable for roof repairs.
· Do you install a wall unit:
o Yes
· What is the practical temperature?
o With antifreeze the panel is good for -32 degrees Celsius.
· Incentives?
o There is a federal incentive.
o BC incentive $2,000
o The City of Vancouver presently has an incentive of $4,300
· Is a back up system required?
o Yes, the most popular is an electric on demand heater.
Michelle Jones thanked Bruce Gray for his informative presentation and welcomed him to stay for the business meeting.