"There is no location better than on the roofs of our schools in the centre of our communities for local solar electricity generation. The energy does not travel far before it meets an energy need making our electricity system more efficient. More importantly, showcasing this modern approach to managing our energy needs so close to where our children spend much of their day  inspires them, develops their interest in science and in the environment and builds the school-pride that invigorates their entire learning experience." - John Gorman, CanSIA President & CEO

​EDMONTON, AB - (October 6, 2016) -- The Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA) states that the Government of Alberta is leading by example as the first provincial or territorial government in Canada to explore the feasibility of meeting 50% of their annual electricity needs from solar energy.  Minister Shannon Phillips, Alberta’s Minister of Environment & Parks (and Minister responsible for the Alberta Climate Change Office) announced their intent today at the Solar West 2016 conference in Edmonton, hosted by CanSIA for the solar energy industry. The process, if successful in identifying a supplier or suppliers that can construct and operate a solar farms that meet the province’s economic criteria, could give rise to 100 MW of new installed generation capacity in the province - enough to power 18,750 Alberta homes for a year. CanSIA released the following statements:

“There is no doubt that solar electricity will become an important component of Alberta’s decarbonized and diversified electricity supply mix as the cost of our technology continues to significantly decline.  The solar farm that would meet half of the Government of Alberta’s annual electricity needs would support the delivery of many firsts. Canada’s first 50% solar-powered Government. Western Canada’s first large-scale solar farm.  Alberta’s first utility-scale solar jobs.  The success of this initiative will secure the government and public confidence in a larger future role for solar energy in Alberta” – John Gorman,  President & CEO, CanSIA

“Not many people know that the Government of Alberta has been 100% renewable for a decade. This initiative gave the wind energy industry the early leg-up they required to become the cost-competitive clean option that they are for the province today.  We expect that this new solar energy initiative will not only help our industry to overcome some preliminary hurdles in Alberta, but to also deliver the lowest cost solar electricity in Canada’s history” – Patrick Bateman, Director of Policy & Market Development, CanSIA

October 3, 2016—The Canadian Council on Renewable Electricity made the following statement in response to the federal government’s announcement that it will ratify the Paris Agreement and establish a national price on carbon emissions: QUOTES

“Now, more than ever, Canadians are looking for ways to decarbonize our economy, and renewable electricity will play a crucial role in this shift. A national price on carbon pollution can help accelerate this transition.” — John Gorman, Canadian Solar Industries Association 

“A carbon price will accelerate the integration of clean, renewable generation sources into Canada’s electricity grid. And the more we electrify our economy—from transportation, to industry to buildings, —with non-emitting renewable resources, the faster and deeper we can cut greenhouse gas pollution and ensure Canada delivers on its commitments.” — Robert Hornung, Canadian Wind Energy Association

“Pricing carbon emissions on its own won’t enable Canada to reduce emissions in line with our targets—other complementary measures will be required. One such measure is for the federal and provincial governments to adopt and facilitate achievement of national targets for electricity generation that move us close to 100 per cent zero-carbon electricity by 2050.” — Jacob Irving, Canadian Hydropower Association 

“This is a positive step that will drive innovation, and as markets  increasingly demand renewable energy solutions there is an opportunity increase the export of Canadian renewable electricity, technologies, services and products to markets around the world.” — Elisa Obermann, Marine Renewables Canada