Written by Denise Deby.
The Ottawa Renewable Energy Cooperative (OREC) offers a way to get involved in supporting solar energy—whether or not you’re able to install it where you live.
Anyone who’s a resident of Ottawa can invest with OREC to spread solar power to buildings in Ottawa. OREC is a co-op, so members jointly own renewable energy projects that OREC finances. The projects earn revenue through contracts with the Ontario Power Authority under its Feed-in-Tariff program. In its short (two-year) existence, OREC has installed solar systems in housing co-ops in the city and is negotiating some commercial and institutional contracts. If you can’t invest, you can volunteer with OREC or lease them roof or land space.
You can find out more at OREC’s website. As well, Ottawa writer Jen Lahey has a great explanation of how OREC works in her Urban Hippie column at OttawaMagazine.com.
OREC’s Annual General Meeting is on Thursday, November 22, 2012 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Centretown United Church, 507 Bank St. (at Argyle).
Green Living Ottawa 