The latest addition to the City of Kelowna’s sustainability initiatives will be unveiled on Monday April 21 when Mayor Sharon Shepherd “turns on” two solar-powered LED* lights near the Queensway Avenue entrance to City Hall. The lights will be unveiled at sunset, 8:02 p.m., on the eve of Earth Day, April 22.
“This environmentally-friendly technology reflects the City’s commitment to sustainability and reducing our environmental footprint,” notes Mayor Shepherd. “Harnessing the power of the sun is responsible energy management.”
These units are the first of 100 Carmanah EverGEN™ solar-powered area lights to be installed through a partnership agreement between the Government of Canada (Natural Resources Canada), Carmanah Technologies Corporation (Victoria, B.C.) and the City that will result in illumination of a variety of public spaces by March 2009.
“This is an exiting application of solar technology – both for Kelowna and for the team at Carmanah,” said Philippe Favreau, Carmanah Chief Operating Officer. “It’s great to see our Canadian technology – designed and built right here in B.C. – deployed in this city-wide commitment to sustainable development. With no need for wiring or grid power, these solar-powered area lights will provide efficient illumination wherever it’s needed, powered by the free, limitless resource of the sun.”
The City and Carmanah reviewed over 200 potential sites and selected the final locations based on an explicit set of criteria:
- Adequate light would be provided for the intended public activity
- Technical and geographic considerations (sufficient sunlight must reach the solar panels to charge the solar batteries)
- Neighbourhood representation
- Functional variety
- Public impact
- Off-grid and remote from an existing power supply.
The lights will be installed in parks, along pedestrian and bike trails, and used for accent, safety and security.
The Government of Canada has provided a grant of $500,000; Carmanah will contribute $530,000 through the production, shipping and monitoring of this renewable technology; the City of Kelowna is responsible for installation of the solar-powered lights and will contribute $128,000 in cash and kind.
* light emitting diode
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Media contacts:
Randy Cleveland
Civic Properties Manager
469-8663
469-8472
Karen Cairns
Communications Manager
(250) 469-8663
David Davies
Carmanah Public Relations
(250) 382-4332