Hamlet looks to renewable energy
Solar panel project in Clyde River aims for debut next year
Stewart Burnett
Northern News Services
Monday, December 21, 2015
KANGIQTUGAAPIK/CLYDE RIVER
It might be hard to imagine in the dark winter but solar panels might become a source of energy in the community of Clyde River.
Duncan Martin from Vancouver Renewable Energy Coop, right, and Silas Natanine conduct a solar energy assessment of the Clyde River hamlet building. Greenpeace is helping fundraise to bring solar power to the community. - photo courtesy of Greenpeace |
"I had the exact same (question) for the person who did the assessment," said Farrah Khan, laughing, who was in the hamlet earlier this year with a solar expert to assess whether buildings could benefit from the technology.
"It's obviously true in the winter months when it's mostly dark, solar panels won't be able to perform, but in the summer months when there is more sun they'll be performing above and beyond places in the south, so it's still definitely a viable source of renewable energy for a place like Clyde."
She just received the assessment back and is now working to make solar panels in Clyde River a reality.
"This project is quite small," said Khan. "It's not going to replace the entire energy grid, but a lot of people that we spoke to when we were up there are really interested in energy independence, and this is just one example of how that could be achieved going forward with a renewable energy mix."
"That was really something," said Jerry Natanine, former mayor of Clyde River, about Greenpeace's solar energy visit.
The expert assessed four buildings in the community, including the government offices and community hall.
"We're going to do as much as we can depending on the funds that are raised and see how well it can work up here," said Natanine.
Khan is now in the process of figuring out just how much it will cost to ship the panels and associated equipment up to Clyde River and install them. All going well, she hopes they'll be in the community by summer.
The project also includes a training element.
"From what we've heard, there are some people in Clyde who would be really interested in learning how to install and maintain solar panels," said Khan. "That's part of the plan as well."
She thinks it's more than a nice project, but a message to the seismic-testing camp.
"I think it's really exciting that the community is taking this mission on," said Khan. "I think in a symbolic way it sends quite a strong message to the seismic companies and the National Energy Board and the government, who have pushed forward this project without the consent of the community, to say oil and gas is not the only option in the North. When you look at all of the risks involved - not just exploring for oil but if drilling were to go ahead - that could lead to irreparable damage to those communities."
Nothing is set in stone yet, she cautioned, but the plan is to begin a fundraising process in spring and go from there.
