Editor:
Although Penny Brown (“Reducing oil, gas is key,” Letters, Nov. 13) raises some good points about the need to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, she is very mistaken in her take on solar panels, suggesting instead that using BC Hydro electricity doesn’t produce emissions. Perhaps she doesn’t realize the enormous GHG emissions created from flooding a valley such as the Peace River or the dire environmental consequences of damming rivers. In some places, hydro dams are being removed and rivers and ecosystems are being restored.
Solar is benign energy with no emissions and once in place, panels are guaranteed to last 25 years but can actually last much longer. Some say mining for materials that make up the panels is harmful, conveniently forgetting to factor the destruction wrought by oil sands, fracking or offshore drilling. Solar panels, much more efficient and less costly than before, are made with materials that can be recycled at end of life. Solar also provides decentralized energy, particularly useful in emergencies.
We agree with Ms. Brown that the provincial government should not be subsidizing fossil fuels but she errs in dismissing solar energy as ineffective against climate change. The Sunshine Coast Community Solar Association facilitated the solar array on the roof of the Sechelt Seniors Activity Centre from our James Pawley Legacy fund, so feel the need to set the record straight here. We encourage increasing energy efficiency as a key goal and also promote electric vehicles with zero emissions and point out that solar panels and charging EVs go hand-in-hand. The path to reducing our carbon footprint is to embrace a range of good alternatives, and solar is a major one.
People can check out our website at: https://suncoastcommsolar.weebly.com and if interested in attending our upcoming AGM, contact us at [email protected] to request the Zoom code.
Gordon Bishop,
Chair, SCCSA
