Learn about solar hot water at the Fernwood Community Centre, June 12 at 7p.m.

›› Ruben Anderson

Who wouldn’t love a nice, hot shower—basking in water heated by the sun’s energy? Well, CRD grant money could save you thousands of dollars on the solar hot water system you have dreamed of—all thanks to an expansion of the very successful Solar Colwood program.

Due to significant interest from neighbourhood residents, Fernwood NRG has arranged for James Smyth, of Pacific Solar Smart, to give an introduction to solar hot water systems at the Community Centre on June 12 at 7:00 p.m.

James is an award-winning instructor at Camosun College’s solar training program. In addition to being knowledgeable about all kinds of solar thermal and ­photovoltaic systems, James has designed a solar hot water system optimized for ­Victoria’s ­climate.

Victoria gets more sunshine than the global leader in solar energy, Germany, and modern solar collectors are productive even on cloudy days. The solar collectors on Fernwood NRG’s Park Place ­apartments have been pumping out hot water and ­lowering utility bills since 2008.

Check out James’ website: pacific­solarsmart.com. You can read up on the solar hot water program, and list of ­FAQs at solar­colwood.ca/solar-hot-water.php.

Admission is free, but a suggested donation of up to $5 will be gratefully accepted to help Fernwood NRG keep offering valuable events like this to our ­neighbourhood. Send any questions to info@fernwoodnrg.­ca.

Let’s go solar, Fernwood!