Shining a Light on Creation: How Solar Energy is Powering Hope on Vancouver Island

In the very first chapter of Genesis, God created light, separating it from darkness and filling the world with the sun’s life-giving rays. That light has always been a sign of God’s presence—bringing warmth, growth, and renewal to everything it touches.  

Today, more than ever, we are called to care for all of creation that flourishes under that light: the land, the waters, the creatures, and one another. The sun, one of God’s earliest gifts, continues to remind us of His generosity and calls us to use it wisely as we seek to protect our common home. 

Ten years ago, in his Laudato Si’ encyclical, Pope Francis reminded us that our environmental challenges are rooted in human activity and affect every person on the planet. Pope Leo XIV echoes this call today, inviting us into a renewed dialogue about our common home and urging universal solidarity in protecting the Earth. Caring for creation is not only an ecological issue—it is also a moral and spiritual one, grounded in love for our neighbour and respect for the world God has entrusted to us. 

Here on Vancouver Island, communities are putting these principles into action, harnessing the power of the sun to care for people and the planet. In Port Alberni, the Maitland Street Village—a subsidized housing complex developed by the Alberni Low Energy Housing Society in partnership with the Diocese of Victoria—has taken a remarkable step forward. 

The complex now features 48 solar panels that cover only a portion of the rooftop, yet they produce more electricity than the building’s common areas require. “That actually powers 104 percent of the common area needs of the building—elevator, laundry, hot water, ventilation, heating—all completely powered by the sun,” explains Chris Palliser in an interview with CHEK News. He’s the community manager with the Shift Energy Group, the company that installed the panels. 

This achievement has earned Maitland Street Village a Level 4 designation under British Columbia’s building code, making it the first affordable apartment in the province to reach near-zero emissions. Beyond energy efficiency, the project embodies the Church’s Laudato Si’ movement: providing shelter, fostering community, and caring for creation. The 46 units—ranging from one- to three-bedroom apartments—offer vibrant, affordable homes for families in need. 

The Diocese of Victoria is continuing this mission across its communities. The new Early Learning Centre at St. Joseph’s Elementary School in Victoria will also feature solar panels, helping reduce energy costs while teaching children that caring for creation is part of living our faith. 

Solar energy is more than technology; it’s a tangible way to respond to God’s call to stewardship, to live in solidarity with neighbours, and to create communities that thrive sustainably. As more buildings in our Diocese adopt solar power, we can see the light of God’s creation reflected in our efforts—building hope, nurturing life, and honouring the gift of the sun. 

Let this Season of Creation inspire us all to look for ways to harness the light around us, caring for our common home and the people who share it. 

Learn more about the Season of Creation here: https://www.rcdvictoria.org/events/sept-1-oct-4-season-of-creation-2025