Despite less interest from BC Hydro on buying excess green energy, the city is looking to line their rooftops with solar cells.
City Council agreed to issue a request for proposals for solar power companies to put solar panels on top of the Multiplex, Glenwood Center, and other municipal buildings.
Mayor Mike Ruttan says there are already companies looking to work with Port Alberni
He said the city had hoped to sell excess power to BC Hydro, but given their recent refusal of a deal with Huu-ay-aht First Nation on a run of the river project, there is a belief that the Crown Corporation is focused solely on their Site-C dam.
Ruttan says despite our months of grey skies at this time of year, Port Alberni actually gets plenty of sunshine
He says the city has $100,000 in a carbon reserve fund they would put towards the project that would offset some of the city’s power costs.