Solar Neighbourhood Events | In the 'hood - program news | Solar shines
Solar Neighbourhood Happenings
Hot info
We’re offering another chance to get the goods on solar hot water for your home with our final winter workshop taking place Thursday, Feb. 26th at the Danforth Coxwell Library (1675 Danforth at Coxwell). Learn from a variety of experts about how solar energy can heat your hot water, how you can reduce your energy and water bills, and how you qualify for thousands of dollars in government support. These free 1.5 hour workshops are filled with helpful information that can save you energy and money. The workshop starts at 7 p.m. and you can reserve a seat through our website (or call the Solar Info Line at 416-392-6795 or email solar@toronto.ca).
An exclusive affair
If you register with the Solar Neighbourhoods program by Feb. 24th, you'll receive a special invitation to attend our exclusive Solar Showcase evening on Feb. 25th. This is your chance to see the systems being offered by our Solar Neighbourhoods eligible suppliers, to ask questions about their system packages and compare offerings. This is not a sales event and you won't be asked to make a purchase decision, but it is a great chance to give some more thought to the advantages of solar in a relaxed atmosphere with complimentary wine and cheese. City of Toronto Solar Neighbourhoods program staff will also be on hand to answer questions, as will our EcoENERGY partner Windfall Ecology Centre.
If you havent already registered for the Solar Neighbourhoods program, all you have to do is click here. Once you've registered, we'll arrange a combined home and solar energy assessment and send you a Showcase invite. You are under no obligation to purchase a solar system, but as you will see below, the incentives for doing so keep piling up.
In the 'hood
More financial help for solar installations
The federal government introduced a new Home Renovation Tax Credit (HRTC) in its 2009 budget. The credit can be used to offset the cost of installing a new water heating system, including a solar hot water system. According to the feds, “The HRTC will apply to eligible home renovation expenditures for work performed, or goods acquired, after January 27, 2009 and before February 1, 2010, pursuant to agreements entered into after January 27, 2009. The 15-per-cent credit may be claimed on the portion of eligible expenditures exceeding $1,000, but not more than $10,000, meaning that the maximum tax credit that can be received is $1,350.” The credit applies to the cost of the system and “associated expenses such as building permits, professional services, equipment rentals and incidental expenses.”
A good excuse for a party
How would you like to host a get together for your friends and neighbours to let them know about the many advantages of installing a solar hot water system? We’re looking for Ward 30 residents who would like to get together a group (6-12 people) for an in-home presentation on the Solar Neighbourhoods program and incentives. As a thank you for helping to organize the event, we’ll give you a gift basket of $50 worth of energy saving devices. Of course, your friends and neighbours will thank you too for letting them know about the great Solar Neighbourhoods financial incentives (now more than $2000), how they can contribute to a healthier neighbourhood and how they can host a party of their own. We’ll provide the expertise and materials and a party planning checklist to make this an easy to organize event. Drop us an email at solar@toronto.ca or call the Solar Info Line at 416-392-6795 if you’d be interested in hosting a hot solar party!
Solar is heating up!
There are incentives available for larger, multi-unit residential buildings and commercial or industrial buildings that can’t participate in Solar Neighbourhoods. Federal incentive money recently assisted in the installation of six solar-thermal panels on a multi-unit housing development in West Toronto near Dufferin Grove Park. The installation will reduce hot water bills by 50% for the 14 residents of the building. The City of Toronto maintains a spreadsheet of federal, provincial and other resources called the Energy Incentive Program Scan to help you identify support opportunities.
SOLAR NEIGHBOURHOODS wants to help you reduce your home’s energy use and tap the power of the sun. We will guide qualifying homeowners in Ward 30 through the purchase and installation of a solar water heating system and help you access to up to $2,000 in cash incentives. Solar hot water is a well-developed zero-emissions renewable energy technology that is in wide use around the world. Now, Solar Neighbourhoods is working to make it part of life right here in Toronto.
Don’t miss this chance to reduce your home’s climate impact, tackle rising utility costs and be a part of Solar Neighbourhoods! Register today at www.solarneighbourhoods.ca
 Toronto Energy Efficiency Office Toronto Environment Office |
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