ENMAX Corporation invites the media to the northwest corner of the SAIT Polytechnic campus on Friday, May 13 from 11 a.m. to noon as technicians complete an intensive 3-day training course on solar photo voltaic panel installations to launch ENMAX’s Generate Choice program. Technicians from across Alberta will be conducting an installation atop a roof that was designed with assistance from SAIT students for this and future training needs.

ENMAX’s Generate Choice program will be available to homeowners across the province and it is the first time Albertans will have an affordable alternative to outright purchase of the expensive equipment. Home-owners will generate a portion of their own electricity and reduce the carbon emitted from generating electricity in this innovative leasing arrangement.

“Until now, anyone interested in having solar panels put on their roof had no choice but to buy the costly equipment,” said Helen Bremner, ENMAX’s executive vice-president of Brand and Residential Markets. “Through Generate Choice, Alberta consumers will be able to choose from different leasing options at a much more affordable price.”

“SAIT’s interest in collaborating with ENMAX on this training is two-fold,” said Dr. Alex Zahavich, SAIT’s Director of Applied Research and Innovation Services. “In addition to preparing ourselves to train students in this rapidly emerging job field, we are also staying on the cusp of this advancing technology through applied research.”

Generate Choice was announced by ENMAX in 2010 after receiving partial funding to launch the program from the Climate Change and Emissions Management (CCEMC) Corporation, a not-for-profit organization that aims to expand climate change knowledge, develop new ‘clean’ technologies and explore practical ways of implementing them. Pricing for Generate Choice will be available to consumers by the end of this month.

DETAILS

What: ENMAX technicians will be atop a roof in full safety harnessing as part of an intensive training program to install solar photo voltaic

When: Friday, May 13, 2011 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Where: SAIT’s main campus – 1301 16 Ave. NW (Enter SAIT off of 16 Ave. & 12 St. then take an immediate right onto Fowler Drive. The roof is located on the NW corner of campus next to the white tent.)

Who: ENMAX Technology Specialist (and trainer), Colin Dumais  
 SAIT representative

Other: www.generatechoice.ca