Sum-SHA-Thut, an installation by Canadian solar energy company Home Energy Solutions has been named ‘Solar Project of the Year' at the 2009 Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA) conference.

Canadian solar company and First Nations community awarded for BC's largest solar instalment

Victoria, BC and Barrie, ON December 31, 2009 - Sum-SHA-Thut, an installation by Canadian solar energy company Home Energy Solutions(www.solarforhomes.ca), has been named ‘Solar Project of the Year' at the 2009 Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA) conference. The winning project, built for Vancouver Island's T'Sou-ke Nation, is BC's largest solar power instalment to date and the recipient of several previous awards.

"The success of this project and the leadership demonstrated by the T'Sou-ke Nation and Chief Gordon Planes show great promise for solar electric generation in Canada," says Dave Egles, founder and president of Home Energy Solutions. Since the July 2009 installation of Sum-SHA-Thut (the Sencoten term for ‘sunshine'), energy consumption has dropped 30 percent, making T'Sou-ke Nation the most solar-intensive nation per capita on the planet.


"The T'Sou-ke Solar Community project is a great example of how BC is a leader in the alternative energy sector, and how solar can play a significant role in our future energy supply," said Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Minister Blair Lekstrom. "Communities throughout the Province will benefit from a clean, renewable and climate-friendly source of energy. As the world embraces innovative and sustainable energy solutions, BC is at the forefront with its environmental and economic leadership."


The timing of the CanSIA award and conference is highly significant for the Canadian solar industry, falling in the midst of the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference and just two months after Ontario introduced its micro feed-in-tariff program for renewable energy technologies. "This award could not come at a better time," says Egles. "It shows that people are starting to recognize solar electricity as a real solution for climate change - internationally and at a local level."

About Home Energy Solutions:
Victoria, BC- and Barrie, Ontario-based Home Energy Solutions is Canada's premier provider of renewable solar energy systems. Founder and President David Egles is one of Canada's leading solar experts, with over 20 years experience at the helm of several prominent solar companies. For more information, visit www.solarforhomes.ca


Media Contact:
David Davies
direct: 250.382.4332
email: ddavies@harbourwerks.com