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BEHCHOKO/RAE-EDZO
A new sun-tracking solar panel array in Behchoko is the first of its kind in the Northwest Territories

GNWT alternative energy specialist Wade Carpenter and members of the Tlicho Alternative Energy Committee stand in front of the new solar panel tracker in Behchoko on Aug. 19. From left, Carpenter, Peter Arrowmaker, Joe Dryneck, Alfonz Apples, Sonny Zoe, alternative energy co-ordinator Gary Jaeb, and Tlicho Construction general manager Jim Golchert. - photo courtesy of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources

The Tlicho Investment Corporation-owned Tlicho Construction building, where the solar panels have been installed in the pilot project, is expected to draw all its power from the solar panels, with any surplus to be put back onto the Northwest Territories Power Corporation grid through a net-billing agreement.

"It may put up to 10.6 megawatt hours onto the grid," said Wade Carpenter, Department of Environment and Natural Resources alternative energy specialist. "That's basically the bottom line."

A feasibility program used by the Arctic Energy Alliance to project the economics of renewable energy systems found estimated savings of $3,400 per year with the solar panel technology.

While solar panel systems installed in other parts of the territory stay stationary, the five kilowatt-capacity tracker orients its 22 two-by-four-foot photovoltaic panels to tilt up to 360 degrees in all directions, following the exact location for maximum sunlight. The tracking technology is estimated to produce 30 to 40 per cent more power than static panel systems, Carpenter said.

Construction and installation of the sun tracking array was completed by Tlicho-owned alternative energy company Ventek Enterprises in May, with the official ribbon-cutting of the project on Aug. 19.

"It's quite a success," Ventek Enterprises general manager Matthew Brost said. "It's a good success story for the Tlicho people. They are taking care of the land even further now."

The project was initiated by the Tlicho alternative energy steering committee, which was formed last year by the Tlicho Investment Corp., with members from each of the Tlicho communities of Behchoko, Whati, Gameti and Wekweti. The committee, in conjunction with the Tlicho Construction office, approached the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) last year, and CanNor agreed to co-fund the project with about $30,000, according to Gary Jaeb, Tlicho alternative energy co-ordinator. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources committed another $30,000, with the Tlicho Investment Corp. making up the remainder of the $85,000 cost of the solar power tracker, in kind.

President of the corporation, George Mackenzie, said in a news release that these projects are culturally appropriate, environmentally friendly and have long term economic benefits.

"It's just clean, green, and environmentally friendly," Jaeb added. "So we would like to see one in each of the Tlicho communities."

The tracker is warrantied for up 25 years and can operate year-round, but because of the lack of sun during the winter, it will be programmed to lock out in a 90-degree south-facing direction during the season so snow falls off the panels until about late February or March.

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