Here comes the sun: resort town of Banff will pay for use of solar panels

The Rocky Mountain resort town of Banff is encouraging residents and businesses to bask in the sun.

Chad Townsend , Banff's environmental co-ordinator, says anyone who puts up solar panels will get money back from the town.

Townsend a quarterly cheque will be sent out to offset the cost of a solar system.

The payment will be based on how much energy is generated and fed into the grid.

Initial cash for the project is coming from a rate rider the town charges utility companies for power lines under streets and sidewalks.