About the Committee

For the Past 5 years the SPEC Energy Committee has committed to promoting Renewable Energy alternatives in the Georgia Basin.  The Committee has been opposed to new large-scale power generation infrastructure. Alternatively, it worked to establish a successful Sustainability Demonstration Center which focused on educating the public about the benefits and feasibility of Solar Power generation.

The committee believes that the installation of Solar Power Generation systems on residential and commercial building makes good public policy sense. Photo-voltaic panels allow public buildings in particular to generate more of their own power.  These may be used in conjunction with wind generators or solar hot water panels. Here, the payback may be measured in two ways: in the dollars saved directly on energy costs and in the reduction in peak energy demands that could be achieved, thereby reducing or delaying the need to build new major power generation facilities. In areas serviced by BC Hydro, the cost of public power remains lower than the cost of photo-voltaic generation--at present energy prices.

Homeowners looking for a cost-effective solar energy solution might want to consider solar hot water systems, which can achieve financial payback in relatively short time frames, and are very affordable.

Read more about our Projects here or click on Learn to read more about solar power generation systems.

Current Projects

Solar Panels on City Hall

We are currently working to relocate the solar PVC panels to the roof of City Hall.  Sign up for our free e-newsletter on the left to learn more as this effort progresses or support our work by becoming a member.

Past Projects

The SPEC Sustainability Demonstration Center

The SPEC Sustainability Demonstration Center was a SPEC project that ran for over 25 years showcasing sustainable building technology at 2150 Maple Street in Vancouver.  It was a unique real-world demonstration site for green building techniques, renewable energy technologies and energy conservation. 

It was the only building in British Columbia that featured solar photo-voltaic, solar hot water and solar hot air all in one building.

Every year, hundreds of people passed through the centre and had an opportunity to view the technologies and techniques in place.  Our energy workshops and tours helped the public learn about energy saving technologies available for their homes.  We also hosted tours for schools and other groups wanting to learn more about sustainability.

Green Building Features

Some of the green building technologies and features at the demonstration centre included:

• Solar photo-voltaic panels
• Solar hot water panels
• Solar hot air panel
• Parabolic solar cooker
• Passive solar heating
• Thermal mass construction
• Day-lighting - clerestory windows
• Day-lighting – light reflectors
• Thermal shutters
• Rain water collection
• Lighting controls – motion (?what is this? just curious)
• CFL lighting
• Efficient fluorescent tube lighting
• LED lighting
• Phantom load reduction

In addition the center also demonstrated water conservation (low flush toilet, low flow taps, & rain water harvesting. kitchen composting and waste recycling.)

Unfortunately the Sustainability Demonstration Center had to close due to structural issues.  SPEC offices have moved to 2060 Pine Street.