Photos courtesy CanSIA

Glowing recognition: Richard Thorne and Victoria Hollick flank two of the award winners—John Lorinc (above image) and Al Clark (bottom image).

During its annual conference, the Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA) recognized outstanding achievement in the solar energy sector. Held last month, the 2008 Solar Awards honoured The Hospital for Sick Children as the Solar Thermal Project of the Year, and Carmanah Technologies' Government of Canada project, Jean Canfield Building, as Solar PV Project of the Year.

Individuals were also recognized in the following categories:
• Solar Leader of the Year–The Honourable George Smitherman, Deputy Premier, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Government of Ontario;
• Solar Industry Leader of the Year–Ken Traynor, Toronto Renewable Energy Co-op, Community Solar Program;
• Solar Public Servant of the Year–Al Clark, Senior Advisor and Manager, EcoEnergy for Renewable Heat, Natural Resources Canada; and
• Solar News Story of the Year–John Lorinc for "Sunpower: How Ontario is jump-starting the solar-energy economy," in Canadian Geographic.

The country's growing solar energy industry can help design/construction professionals build more energy-efficient structures. Such accomplishments are further encouraged by the Canadian' government's partnership with the Electricity Sector Council (ESC) to develop new occupational standards for solar equipment installers. The government will also support the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) in creating a national curriculum for designers and installers of solar energy systems, to be shared with educational institutions across the country.