November 2017  
See you Next Week at Solar Canada 2017!

I often hear from members how pivotal it can be to establish just one business relationship, partnership, or even friendship in this industry. Whether you are just breaking into the solar industry or want to grow or refresh your relationships with other industry members, Solar Canada is where you'll find them.

SOLAR CANADA EXPOSITION
The Solar Canada Exposition brings together the entire solar industry supply chain, helping you meet the people and companies you've been wanting to connect with and discover many you wouldn't have otherwise. If you don't have the time or resources to attend the full conference, don't miss the opportunity to attend the Exposition. You can attend next Monday or Tuesday for as little as $110.

To get a sense of who will exhibiting, view the floorplan and full list of exhibiting companies. Don't forget that full conference delegates will be frequenting the trade show as well, opening up even more valuable networking opportunities. View the list of delegates who agreed to be publicly listed.

SOLARPALOOZA
If you are looking for an opportunity to network outside of office hours, Solar Canada's flagship networking event Solarpalooza is returning for a 4th consecutive year due to strong demand. This event has sold out for 3 consecutive years so be sure to book your spot early.

Join Solar Canada's 4th Annual SolarPalooza at the Real Sports Bar - Voted best sports bar in North America by ESPN!

When: Monday, December 4, beginning at 7:00pm *
Where: Real Sports Bar (4 min walk from MTCC) - 15 York St., Toronto

Tickets are included in all full conference passes (non-transferable) or you may purchase tickets through the event registration system. Tickets will not be available at the door.

To register for these and other Solar Canada activities, visit https://solarcanadaconference.ca/registration/.

To learn more about the benefits of a CanSIA Membership, do not hesitate to contact Lisa Hatina, Business Development and Member Relations Manager, at membership@cansia.ca.

Please read on for some upcoming CanSIA Member benefits and services:
Events & Conferences 
Solar Canada 2017 Welcomes Two Influential Ministers as Keynote Speakers! solcan

The Honourable James Gordon Carr

Minister of Natural Resources,
Government of Canada
The Pan-Canadian Framework on Climate Change and Clean Growth is the most comprehensive and ambitious strategy to transition to a low carbon economy to date.  Attend to learn more about the progress being made by the Federal Government.

The Honourable Glenn Thibeault
Minister of Energy,
Government of Ontario
Minister Thibeault was appointed Ontario's Minister of Energy in June 2016. In this role, he is focused on ensuring all Ontarians have access to an affordable supply of clean, reliable energy. Attend to learn more about Ontario programs and policies.

Corporate and Supporter Level Members of CanSIA save $250 per registering participant and exhibitors at the C1, C2 and S1 levels receive significant discounts.

Game Changer Awards Brunch!GCBrunch
This year marks the fifth anniversary of the Game Changer Awards! Join the celebrations at this year's Game Changer Awards Brunch, hosted at Solar Canada in Toronto on December 5, 2017. The Game Changer Awards recognize the excellence of the many individuals and organizations that have helped position Canada as an international leader of the solar industry.  Don't miss a morning full of delicious food, laughter, celebrations and surprises!

Click here to see a list of the nominees.

Can't make it to the full Solar Canada Conference and Exposition? Don't miss the fun, register for the Game Changer Awards Brunch.

Upcoming Aboriginal Business Match EventsABM

The Aboriginal Business Match (ABM) connects a national network of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal decision makers to create opportunities for business, training and employment. In 2016, 92% of delegates developed key contacts anticipating post-event deals, and 1 in 5 made deals directly on the tradeshow floor.

CanSIA Members receive a 10% discount for ABM events. Upcoming events include:

ABM Lower Mainland
Dec 4 - 6, 2017
Kwantlen, Katzie and Semiahmoo Territory
Langley, BC
ABM Prairies
Feb 26 - 28, 2018
Delta Region, Treaty 4 Territory
Regina, SK
ABM Vancouver Island
Mar 26 - 28, 2018
Kwakiutl Territory
Port Hardy, BC

CanSIA Members can learn more about these events and how to access the 10% discount on the Members-Only Event Discounts Page.

Upcoming WiRE Networking Eventwire
Toronto Networking Meet-up on December 13th
Join us on Wednesday December 13th for the next WiRE Toronto Chapter Networking Meetup. WiRE meet-ups present a welcoming and casual opportunity to meet peers, share ideas and opportunities, and educate colleagues about projects and initiatives of interest to the group. All women working in a field related to renewable energy are invited, as are students and developing professionals who are looking for perspectives on joining the renewable energy sector.

Featured Speaker: Dianne Saxe - Environmental Commissioner of Ontario (ECO)
Presentation: Dianne will present an engaging and entertaining talk targeted to all women working in, or wanting to learn more about working in the renewable energy sector.
 
CanSIA Members can click here to learn more. 
 
Upcoming SESA Networking EventsSESA
Solar Drinks hosted by the Solar Energy Society of Alberta (SESA) are an opportunity to network, meet people in the solar industry and enjoy a meal or a drink. Upcoming Solar Drinks include:

Edmonton Solar Drinks
Date: Monday, January 15, 2018 - 5:00pm to 7:00pm
Location: Rocky Mountain Ice House

Calgary Solar Drinks
Date: Tuesday, January 16, 2018 - 5:00pm to 7:00pm
Location: The Gateway, SAIT Campus Centre

Policy Development Resources    
CanSIA Member Webinar: Solar Year-In-Review & Outlook For 2018YearInReview
Join the Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA)'s: Patrick Bateman (Policy & Market Development); Lisa Hatina (Business Development & Member Relations); Wes Johnston (Vice-President); and Erin Seegmiller (Communications) on Wednesday December 13th at 12pm MT / 2pm ET / 1pm AT for a webinar that will explore the key events that affected the Canadian solar industry throughout 2017 (including global, national and provincial-level energy and climate change policy leadership, investment and regulation and local-level project successes and good news stories) to identify key trends, drivers and business opportunities that the solar industry should plan for in 2018 and beyond. 

CanSIA Members can click here to register.

2016-2019 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy: Webinar Seriesfedweb
Topic: Measuring progress with indicators
Date: Tuesday December 5, 2017 at 12:30 EST / 10:30 MT (English session)

Measuring progress with indicators is an important part of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy.  Please join us for this free webinar to hear about the latest indicators and environmental trends.

CanSIA Members can click here to register.

Policy and Research Update: November EditionPandR
Each month, CanSIA Members are sent the Policy and Research Update which provides the essential news on all policy and regulatory matters.  CanSIA Members can access this last week's Policy & Research Update as well as past editions through the Members-Only Portal.

Here are some highlights from the latest edition of Policy and Research Update: 

Profile Building Opportunities    
Alberta Solar Providers DirectoryABDirectory
CanSIA is working with our members to help them attract additional business through Alberta's Residential and Commercial Solar Program.
  1. CanSIA and Energy Efficiency Alberta connect prospective program participants with our members through our searchable online member directory.
  2. Our consumer protection program lets the public know that our members are adhering to a code of conduct that protects both them and their clients.
  3. Our Proud Member of CanSIA logo lets Albertans know that your company is committed to protecting their interests.
CanSIA members are also listed as Qualified Solar Providers in Energy Efficiency Alberta's online application portal for program participants.
 
If your company is interested in providing solar installation services to program participants, but is not yet listed as an Alberta Solar Provider on CanSIA's website please contact us to be added.

Business Opportunities       
Green Jobs - Science and Technology Internship Program Funding AvailableGreenJobs
The Green Jobs - Science and Technology Internship Program (Green Jobs -STIP) provides funding to organizations, businesses and institutions to hire post-secondary graduates in the natural resource sectors in a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) field. This helps young graduates to gain relevant and meaningful work experience within their field of study.  

Hiring organizations can receive a contribution payment for up to 50% of the intern's salary to a maximum of $15,000 for a 6-12 month internship.  
 
An individual may be eligible for an internship if they are:
  • Between 15 and 30 years of age at the start of employment;
  • A post-secondary graduate;
  • Legally entitled to work in Canada;
  • Canadian citizen, permanent resident or person who has been granted refugee status; and
  • Not in receipt of Employment Insurance during their internship.
CanSIA Members can click here to learn more.

Clean Growth Program (CGP) to provide $155 million for Cleantech RD&D in Natural Resources SectorsCGP
Natural Resources Canada's Clean Growth Program (CGP) provides $155 million for clean technology research and development (R&D) and demonstration projects in Canada's energy, mining and forestry sectors".  The program covers five areas focused on pressing environmental challenges and economic opportunities facing Canada's natural resource operations:  i) reducing greenhouse gas and air-polluting emissions; ii) minimizing landscape disturbances and improving waste management; iii) the production and use of advanced materials and bioproducts; iv) efficient energy use and productivity; and v) reducing water use and impacts on aquatic ecosystems.  

A project is eligible if it advances a pre-commercial clean technology, between technology readiness levels 3 to 9, in Canada's Energy, Mining, or Forest sectors. All projects will be required to secure provincial and/or territorial support (financially and/or in-kind) by the full project proposal phase in order to be eligible for funding under this program.

An informational webinar on the CGP will be held on November 30th. CanSIA Members can click here to learn more.

The City of Toronto's High-rise Retrofit Improvement Support Program (Hi-RIS)HiRes
Hi-RIS provides competitive financing at fixed rates to property owners wanting to undertake building improvements that reduce energy and water consumption or install renewable energy technologies. Residential apartment buildings with 3 or more storeys are eligible to apply for this program and low cost financing can be provided for a term of 5 to 20 years.
 
As of 2017, Hi-RIS can now fund renewable energy technology such as solar PV & geothermal!
 
Roughly half of the initial $10 million Hi-RIS financing envelope currently remains and only until December 31, 2018.

CanSIA Members can click here to learn more.

 
Already a CanSIA member? Ensure your company profile information is up to date. Have your account administrator log into the Members-Only Portal and click on the "Organization Profile" tab where you can view, update and save all of your company information.

  

Don't Miss Important Solar Industry Updates!
 
Make sure you are signed up to receive solar industry updates from us! Click on the link below to ensure you're getting the information you'd like to receive.
   
You can withdraw your consent or modify your subscription preferences at any time by clicking unsubscribe on any communication or by contacting us.