Arctic Energy Alliance is very clear in supporting communities, businesses, & residents with a priority on Energy CONSERVATION, then Energy Efficiency, & once both of those have been significantly addressed, then Renewable Energy technologies.
This is illustrated well through the Energy Pyramid, as shown on a few different websites:
Home Energy Upgrades Loading Order
Smart Energy Living pyramid
http://smartenergyliving.org/index.cfm/ID/4/Resources/
http://www.modernenviro.com/pyramid-of-conservation-helps-prioritize-home-energy-efficiency/ … this site indicates it has an interactive tool associated with their energy conservation pyramid diagram but the link seems to be out of date
The City of Yellowknife has had success with their “new home policy” of EGH 80, which supports this Conservation focus. This is one of the key components of Recommendation #7 of the City of Yellowknife’s Community Energy Plan that is outlined below:
#7. Adopt energy efficient building standards and incorporate into the City’s building
by-law:
a. Use EGH-80 as a standard for new residential construction,
b. Use CBIP as a standard for new commercial construction, and
c. Use EnergyStar as a standard for appliances/office equipment in all new
construction.
Along the way, some builders are designing some of the new homes to be “solar ready” to enable easier uptake of solar infrastructure down the road.
