Kimberley offers free public tours of SunMine and key quotes

The City of Kimberley will be offering free tours of the SunMine facility to the public, from July 31st to August 5th.

SunMine in Kimberley, B.C., will be offering free tours of the facility to the public from July 31st to August 5th. — Photo courtesy Kootenay Business

Free public tours of SunMine are being offered several times per day from July 31st to August 5th. To sign up for tours, visit www.sunmine.ca or call the Kimberley Visitor Centre at 778-481-1891.

Key Quotes from the opening of the SunMine in Kimberley....

City of Kimberley:
“SunMine is a great example of the resiliency of our community.  We are thriving and pursuing new and innovative directions. Although SunMine is the largest solar facility in BC, it is relatively small.  As the SunMine proves its potential, the City of Kimberley is looking to expand it and have already had several inquiries from prospective partners.”  SunMine is supplying enough electricity to the BC Hydro grid to power approximately 200 homes.  -- Kimberley Mayor Don McCormick

City of Kimberley:
“SunMine is a symbol of Kimberley’s commitment to the environment.  When Kimberley’s mineral resources were depleted, we took advantage of our solar potential and developed a new resource which is renewable, Kimberley receives the most sunshine in B.C. (over 300 days per year), and the community-owned SunMine is well suited to capitalize on these clear and sunny conditions.´ ” -- Scott Sommerville, Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Kimberley. 

BC Minister of Energy and Mines:
“Innovative, private clean energy projects have helped power B.C. since the 1980s and are a cornerstone of B.C.’s energy policy, The Sun Mine project has the potential to spur interest in development of other solar projects, bringing more jobs and economic benefits to communities across B.C.” --  Minister Bennett, Minister of Energy and Mines

Teck:
“Participating in SunMine reflects both Teck’s commitment to supporting local communities, even after mining has ceased, and our focus on expanding the use of alternative energy. We’re proud to be contributing to the long-term prosperity of Kimberley and commend the City for their entrepreneurial spirit.” -- Don Lindsay, President and CEO of Teck.

EcoSmart Foundation:
The SunMine project was conceived and supported by the Vancouver-based EcoSmart Foundation. “I’m extremely pleased that SunMine’s initial operation confirms the expected performance benefits of the project’s innovative design. Solar energy is one of the fastest growing industries in North America and its potential in BC is exceptional. EcoSmart is proud to have collaborated with Teck and Kimberley on this innovative project.” -- EcoSmart CEO Michel de Spot

Columbia Basin Trust:
"Congratulations to the City of Kimberley and all of the partners involved on the successful completion of this new community asset. We're proud to be a part of helping Kimberley further its vision to be a sustainable and innovative city." -- Neil Muth, Columbia Basin Trust President and CEO.

BC Hydro
“BC Hydro is very pleased that the innovative SunMine project has reached commercial operation and is now feeding power into the grid. We congratulate the hard-working teams who made this project a reality. SunMine was the first solar project to sign an electricity purchase agreement with BC Hydro, and now it is producing clean power for B.C.” -- Janet Fraser, BC Hydro Senior Vice-President, Energy, Regulatory and Business Planning.

SIDIT (Southern Interior Development Initiative Trust)
"SIDIT looks forward to the completion of this innovative project. Kimberley has the unique opportunity of generating economic diversification while protecting and enhancing the environment that will have a long term impact." -- Grace McGregor, SIDIT Chair. 

More information on the project can be found at www.sunmine.ca