Guelph Black Heritage Society Goes Solar VIDEO (Oct 2022)

For the past 10 years, The Guelph Black Heritage Society has embarked on multiple projects to make their community centre in Guelph, Ontario more sustainable. The historic building has now gone solar. Guelph Solar was able to assist in making GBHS's solar initiative happen by making a significant financial contribution. Guelph Solar President Steve Dyck says, "We saw how committed the GBHS was to full energy sustainability and to becoming part of the clean energy economy and we wanted to help make it happen."

Transcript:

Denise Francis: The Guelph Black Heritage Society took possession of this building about 10 years ago and one of the things that we thought about from the beginning was how to make our building more sustainable. So we've embarked on a few different projects from installing storm windows, we've repointed the building, and the next thing on our list was solar panels. And so that's what we've done. Just really happy to be here.

Steve Dyck: At the Guelph Black Heritage Society, often community groups really want power from the sun. They want to be part of the future. They want to be part of a clean energy economy. And putting finances together can be a real challenge. So when the timing was right, Guelph Solar decided to make a significant contribution towards having the project move forward. We saw that they were really committed, and we wanted to stand beside them and make this happen.

Denise Francis: It's been a fabulous experience working with Guelph Solar. The staff have been amazing. I’m not really too familiar with solar technology, so they were able to explain to me what it was all about, the benefits to our organization, to our building, and to the environment. We've recently embarked on a two-year-long construction project, so I appreciate it when contractors arrive on time, on schedule, and the project is on budget.

Steve Dyck: One of the things that makes me really excited about this project is seeing this building being powered from the sun. The solar panels are going to create enough energy that they can look at putting in a heat pump to reduce their use of natural gas and reduce their ongoing operating costs, which is really important for a community organization.

Denise Francis: Two things that are next: improving the insulation and farther down the line, we'd love to install a heat pump and get rid of the air conditioning.

We’ve created a building fund, and with these savings that we anticipate getting from installing the solar, we will start to accumulate funds that can go towards these new projects.

Steve Dyck: Denise, It’s just really awesome to be here, and when this project came up, you know, I just remember the times I’ve been in the building.

Denise Francis: I remember you at so many of our dances and events pre-COVID, and we hope that you come out again, which we know you will. We’re planning some more in-person events starting in September, and it was really important for us when we selected a company to work with that was local and contributes to our community. We are Guelph-based, and we want to ensure that we continue to work with the people and the organizations that support our community and support us as the GBHS.

Steve Dyck: It is a long-term thing. It’s great to be part of it. I’m just noticing your garden going there.

Denise Francis: Yes, our pollinator garden! And we also have a few herbs and vegetables in there, trying to take advantage of all the limited space we have here in downtown Guelph, but all we can do to try and contribute a little bit more to our environment and make things better.

Steve Dyck: Well, I’m seeing your green peppers are way out in front!

Denise Francis: They’re way out in front, and it’s really great to be part of this. Thank you so much, and we really do appreciate the support that we’ve gotten from Guelph Solar.