Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Feb 13/02) - Aleta Fowler is one of a growing handful of people living off the grid.

In her neighbourhood of houseboats, Fowler goes one step beyond the energy awareness that generating your own electricity promotes.

The solar panels are mounted on metal brackets bolted to the roof of the split level houseboat. - Richard Gleeson/NNLS photo

"I live within my means," Fowler says. "You see what you have as far as storage and you have two choices. You can run your generator or you can live within your means."

Fowler said she uses her generator a few times a year to equalize the six heavy duty golf cart batteries that store energy produced by solar panels mounted on the roof of her houseboat.

In relying on her solar panels, Fowler has an electrical system that's more maintenance free than the hydro system that feeds conventionally-powered city homes.

Set 'em up and forget 'em is the solar panel credo. With no moving parts and no maintenance required, photo-voltaic panels are the most popular alternative energy devices going.

Solar panels are used to power satellite pay phones in the Australian outback and lighted offshore navigation buoys, watches and calculators as well as homes. One manufacturer even produces a roll-up model for camping and field research.

And they're getting better, said architect Stephen Fancott, who plans to set up a solar array to power Blatchford Lake Lodge this spring.

"Whereas a few years ago they used to deliver 50 watts per panel -- that's not in optimal conditions -- they now deliver 75 watts."

Though using solar panels are a stress-free form of alternative energy, understanding how they transform sunlight into electricity is not. The transformation occurs at the atomic level. The main thing is that it works and that it keeps on working.

"We started up a little research station on the Arctic Coast in 1987 that we ran for 13 years," recalled energy consultant Bob Bromley. "Solar panels provided all of our energy needs and they were still producing as well when we shut down as when we started using them."

Bromley used the panels to recharge batteries and lap top computers, communications and a freezer to store samples.

Price of sun power

Solar panels, like most forms of alternative energy, bring medium and long-term savings but at a substantial initial cost.

Fancott estimated it takes about eight years for an average solar system to pay for itself in savings in fuel that would have been poured into a generator.

Panels range in price from $500 to $900 apiece, not including mounting brackets, wiring and installation.

The deep-cycle batteries, which provide the best energy storage and supply, cost between $300 and $500 each. Once the battery bank is in place, it is not difficult to tie in other forms of renewable energy.

Fowler's system would cost $6,000 to $7,000.

Which brings up an issue that irks Fancott -- financing. Financing institutions do not consider the long-term savings alternative energy systems such as solar panels bring when deciding whether or not to provide financing.

Those upgrading to alternative energy systems do not enjoy the same advantages as consumers tied to the grid.

"The ground rules aren't equal," Fancott said. "You are not asked to pay ahead of time for a hydro dam, you pay it over time."

Back on the (house)boat

Though some may see it as a Spartan existence, Fowler said she is making no large sacrifices.

"I can make cookies, I can listen to the radio and tapes, I can live a fairly normal lifestyle without big draw activities."

Big draw activities include running the television and VCR. In the lowest light months of the year, December and January, Fowler is limited to one or two videos a week.

With the spectre of global warming and a limited fossil fuel supply, many environmentalists believe the such sacrifices will be a part of the everyday lives of our children's children.

Her fridge ("When it breaks I won't replace it," she says), stove and lights are propane powered.

Hot water?

"There's plenty of it. I've got a wood stove. There's plenty of hot water."