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Energy Economics leads the way in renewable energy in B.C.
By Erin Knutson
Energy Economics is leading the way with green energy. The Creston-based company (with a head office in Vernon and satellite office in Vancouver) is at the forefront of change in helping people take control of their energy.
“We believe energy is one of the most essential currencies in our world today. The majority of our clients are concerned with the future cost of energy, its sustainability, and its dependability and security,” said Director of Sales and Marketing for Energy Economics Jim Jacobsen.
The innovative solutions-based company’s mission is to provide people with energy, when and where they need it with world-class workmanship and unapparelled customer service.
Jacobsen and his partners (Josh Persaud and Scott McDonald) are passionate about solar as a vital piece of the energy mix on the planet.
“You can’t have infinite growth on a finite planet. It’s important to meet current needs environmentally, socially and economically without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs,” said Jacobsen, a past director of the BC Sustainable Energy Association.
“Using natural, renewable resources to reduce consumption of non-renewable resources will ensure that future generations will have similar opportunities to those who came before,” he said.
Dedicated to excellence, Energy Economics serves the Okanagan, the East and West Kootenay, the Lower Mainland, and remote locations in British Columbia.
“We take care of all aspects of solar design and implementation, and we educate our customers on long-term cost efficiency for their homes or businesses,” said Jacobsen.
Jacobsen is an advocate of solar technology and has led educational programs across B.C., presenting at the Kootenay 100% Sustainability Conference (2018), the Clean BC Generations conference (2019) and as a guest lecturer at Selkirk College, enlightening the public on topics including Solar Myths, Bifacial Panels and Agrivoltaics.
“As a company, we focus on the highest quality solar design and installations. It is important in this emerging sector that people have excellent experiences with solar.”
Jacobsen emphasizes that knowledge is power.
“We participate in extensive public education, from trade shows to presentations to interest groups to community workshops,” he said.
The company’s top priority is ensuring that its customers understand how solar works, how it makes economic sense, and how it contributes to an enhanced quality of life.
According to Jacobsen, Energy Economics is a tight-knit group, having worked together for several years with Alberta based Empower Energy before buying the B.C. division and starting their own.
“We saw an opportunity in a rapidly expanding industry, and we wanted to develop the business with our strategy and vision for the future.” he said.
“Solar is relatively not well understood or accepted as part of housing design and the energy mix,” said the energy educator.
“There is a lot of room for growth, and that number doesn’t include commercial buildings or institutions such as schools which are fantastic candidates for solar and battery storage. A study done by West Kootenay Eco Society called for a transition to 27. 2% of our energy mix to be provided by solar by 2050 to reach 100% renewable energy,” he said.
According to Energy Economics, a solar energy system is an appreciating asset that replaces a liability (hydro bill) while increasing in value as utility prices inflate.
Utility bills are a big part of the rising cost of living in British Columbia. With record low winter temperatures and summer heat waves becoming more common, we are using more energy than ever before. And as the demand for power increases, so do our utility bills. $800 electricity bills are shocking.
The good news is – there are federal grants out right now to help offset the capital cost of a solar PV system. There has never been a better time to install solar in British Columbia then now.
“If you install a 5-kW solar system on your home and take advantage of the grant, your investment will generally be around $8,600. A five-kilowatt system is expected to deliver a 10-12% yearly return for the next 30 years”.
“I’ve never seen the economics be as good as they are now,” said Jacobsen, who’s been in the industry for more than five years.
Homeowners producing renewable energy can reduce reliance on grid power, adding to their financial independence and security should the grid falter, said Jacobsen.
“We are building a community of micro-grids across the province – one home, one business at a time. They are strong, resilient, energy independent and sustainable.”
As for working in the green industry, Jacobsen and his crew enjoy the up-and-coming market and the endless possibilities associated with their work.
“It’s constantly growing and evolving. We are always learning and improving – I love helping people realize their vision to add solar to their lives, becoming prosumers of energy.”
There are many avenues to becoming a solar technician or engineer in this burgeoning industry.
For future green tech innovators, Jacobsen recommends some links below:
Get Connected – Solar Energy International (SEI): Solar Training for Clean Energy Careers
Canadian Solar Institute – Solar PV Training
To visit Energy Economics: Our Story – Energy Economics (energyeconomicssolar.ca)
Lead and above images: Examples of Energy Economics’ work. Photos submitted
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