Saanich set itself a goal -- 400 homes with brand new solar hot water systems installed by the end of 2010.

A year after making that commitment, and being handed $20,000 from a provincial agency to promote solar hot water, it's got a long way to go.

Since the program launched last October, the municipality has recorded just 10 homeowners who have gone through with a solar hot water installation.

"We've had a lot of interest and a lot of people looking at solar. In terms of installs, we still have a lot of work to do on the numbers," said Mark Boysen, Saanich's sustainability co-ordinator.

While the official tally is low, Boysen said he suspects the real number of installations is higher.

Unlike some other municipalities in the region, Saanich requires permits -- which it doesn't charge for -- for new installations, but Boysen said not all installers seem to be aware of that. "We know there are systems being installed that don't have all the permits in place. We know that's happening out there right now." The permits are the only tracking tool the municipality has at its disposal, he added.

The numbers could get a boost soon, though.

Patrick Chenier, who installed a solar system at his own home earlier this year, is organizing a group purchase. He already has about 80 Saanich homeowners (and 15 more from other municipalities) signed up, hoping to secure a volume discount from a certified installer.

"Since I've had the system on until just recently, basically my electric hot water tank was not on. So 100 per cent of my hot water was produced by the solar," said Chenier.

The purchase price for a new system is around $7,000, but according to SolarBC, the provincial agency which granted Saanich $20,000 to promote the technology, homeowners can access up to $3,350 in rebates and tax credits to help cover the cost.

The municipality is still on target to meet another one of its solar hot water targets, installing a system at a municipal pool by the end of 2010, Boysen said.

A consultant just finished feasibility studies on systems for Gordon Head and Commonwealth pools. The results are being studied to decide which location will go ahead with the project. Funds will come from Saanich's carbon neutral reserve fund.

Anyone interested in joing Chenier's group purchase can contact him by e-mail, at patrick.chenier@telus.net.

kvass@vicnews.com