Proposed Solar Panel Project for Forbes Hall Community Centre
Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at 9:20AM Proposed Solar Panel Project for Forbes Hall Community Centre
Over the past several months, members of the Community Climate Resilience (CCR) group have been investigating the installation of solar panels for Forbes Hall. They have done solid research, even to the point of having installation companies visit the site, offer plans and proposals.
During the Hall Expansion, solar panels were considered. While the installation of a panel grid was not included in the project due to the additional cost, it was planned for by including additional conduits running from the Hall to the Hydro shed and the roof was designed and built providing for a future solar panel installation.
The Thetis Island Community Association (TICA) sees the benefit of solar panels as they make economic and environmental sense, collecting energy from the sun and feeding that energy back into the BC Hydro grid, with a significant cost benefit to TICA. There will be a small reduction in efficiency as the panels age, but for 25 years TICA would continue to see significant cost savings. Currently, TICA pays about $5,000 per year for electricity from BC Hydro at Forbes Hall. As Forbes Hall is funded from the Thetis Island community and not from taxation, all cost savings directly benefit the community.
The CCR contacted four well-respected companies to give quotes on the project. After significant research and negotiation, TICA engaged Ocean Volt to proceed with a rebate application to BC Hydro on TICA’s behalf. The contract with Ocean Volt would cost $65,000 to complete the project within the coming year. Upon affirmation that BC Hydro will rebate this installation, TICA will make a 15% deposit to Ocean Volt to move forward with the project. This deposit would be largely refundable if TICA chooses not to continue with the project for any reason. Later, a more detailed document with cost projections, financials, and timing will be shared.
As we embark on this new project for the Hall, we understand that transparency is key and will share information as the project proceeds.
The Board thanks Gary Geddes, Jim Moloney, Doug Fenton and Terry Hamilton on their work thus far on this proposal.
TICA Board