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Solar power system expanded Workshop aims to spark interest in solar power potential
Shawn Giilck
Northern News Services
Published Thursday, August 8, 2013
INUVIK
An experiment in solar power is catching eyes around Inuvik.
Wade Carpenter along with other participants at the Aurora Research Institute building installed a 1,275-watt DC solar expansion in July. - photo courtesy of the Arctic Energy Alliance
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The Arctic Energy Alliance (AEA) has teamed up with both the East Three Elementary School and the Aurora Research Institute on solar power projects.
The partnerships have an eye on both practical and educational components, said AEA spokesperson Donald Andre.
The partnerships are an outgrowth of the Solar Design and Installation Workshop the AEA helped sponsor with the Canadian Solar Institute and Soleil Power Canada Inc. from July 8 to 17, Andre said.
"The workshop involved 10 participants from the Arctic Energy Alliance, Northwest Territories Power Corporation, NT Energy, the GNWT Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and individuals with interest in solar from Inuvik and Tsiigehtchic," he said. "Two solar installations followed the workshop."
With the help of East Three Elementary vice-principal Jason Dayman, a 765-watt system was installed at the East Three Elementary School Camp in the Mackenzie Delta on July 13 and 14 and a 1,275-watt expansion to an existing grid at the Aurora Research Institute Building was added July 15.
Andre said neither system on its own is capable of powering as much as a household, but instead can be quite practical for running various appliances at the camp. At the ARI, the system helps reduce the amount of power being drawn from the grid somewhat, although it's fairly minimal. The output there has doubled over its previous capacity.
"The solar installations reinforced workshop participants’ understanding of the unique aspects of solar
PV system design and installation," Andre said.
Andre stressed the idea is to encourage people to think more about alternative energy sources such as solar power.
Solar power has become more practical in recent years, as costs have come down and the technology has improved, Andre said. There are subsidy programs available as well through the GNWT.
Interestingly, the major drawback to using solar power in the Mackenize Delta during the midnight sun is that the days tend to be too warm.
Solar panels have a relatively small comfort zone when they produce best, Andre explained. The peak period locally is likely in March through May, when sunlight comes close to a peak but temperatures remain cool.
When the panels get too warm under the endless Inuvik summer days, their efficiency deteriorates quickly, he said.
The two systems were valued at approximately $10,000.
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