Advances in solar technology have made solar panels more compact and efficient. While previously, solar systems have largely been installed in remote areas off the electricity grid, most new systems are installed in electrified urban areas.
While Campbell River is not southern California, our climate is sunnier than Germany, a leader in solar technology. Germany, which has over 140,000 solar hot water installations, gets about 1700 hours of sunshine per year, while Campbell River averages 1800. Since the supply of solar energy comes from light generated by the sun, rather than from direct sunlight, even cloudy days can provide enough energy for up to 60 per cent of domestic hot water needs.