Solar advocate disappointed in P.E.I. draft energy strategy

P.E.I.'s draft energy strategy is not looking at the full picture when it suggests not offering an incentive for solar energy, says a company specializing in selling solar electricity systems.

Renewable Lifestyles has been taking part in public consultations on the draft strategy, and encouraging Islanders to join in the discussion using social media.

The draft report suggests there doesn't need to be incentives for solar energy on P.E.I., and concludes paying home owners for extra energy they generate and send into the grid would mean rates would have to go up for other customers to cover those payments.

Steve Howard, president of Renewable Lifestyles, said that conclusion does not take into account savings from transmission losses and not having to fire up on-Island generation, and the opportunity to sell energy off-Island.

A job-intensive industry

Howard also said the solar energy would be good for the economy.

"Solar is a job-intensive industry," he said.

"You need a lot of installers. You need sales people. You need technicians, you need engineers to do up designs. So there's all sorts of jobs created per dollar invested into solar."

A spokesperson for the P.E.I. Energy Corporation says it has listened to what's been said at the public meetings, and the consultants are now putting together a second draft of the strategy.

It will be made public later in June, and discussed at another open meeting before the end of the month.

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