Northernmost Community Powers Up with Major Solar Expansion

Arctic Community Embraces Solar Power Expansion

Grise Fiord, Canada's northernmost community, is set to significantly expand its solar energy project, building on a successful initial installation. This initiative aims to reduce reliance on diesel fuel and embrace renewable energy, aligning with global efforts for a greener planet.

Key Takeaways

• Grise Fiord is expanding its solar energy capacity.

• The project aims to reduce diesel fuel consumption.

• The expansion will involve selling solar energy back to the local utility.

• This initiative is supported by Canada's Northern REACHE program.

From Diesel Dependence to Solar Innovation

Located 1,160 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle, Grise Fiord has historically relied on diesel fuel for its energy needs. In 2022, the community installed a 10-kilowatt solar panel system on the community center, a project made possible by a grant from Canada’s Northern REACHE program. This initial system was designed for energy saving and net metering, offsetting the building's energy consumption.

Scaling Up for a Sustainable Future

Plans are now underway to significantly expand the solar energy project. The upcoming phase will see solar panels mounted on the roof of the community center, creating a 100-kilowatt system. This expansion is a substantial increase, ten times larger than the initial installation. Under a new agreement with Qulliq Energy Corporation (QEC), Grise Fiord will sell the generated solar energy back to the utility, marking a shift towards a commercial Independent Power Producer model.

Environmental and Economic Benefits

Klaus Dohring, president of Green Sun Rising Inc., the company installing the panels, highlighted the significant impact of such projects. Across 13 projects in Nunavut and 54 in Arctic communities, over 375,000 liters of diesel are avoided annually. The expanded Grise Fiord project alone is expected to displace up to 30,000 liters of diesel each year. Dohring emphasized that while the Arctic winter offers no sunlight, the summer months provide an abundant resource. Solar energy, he argues, is a key solution to climate change due to its minimal environmental impact and low maintenance requirements, offering a cleaner and more cost-effective alternative to the repeated shipping and handling of diesel fuel.

Technological Advancements and Community Access

The solar photovoltaic system requires minimal maintenance, with the ability to be monitored remotely via the internet. This allows community administrators, like David General, the Senior Administrative Officer, to track the system's performance conveniently. This technological integration ensures efficient operation and transparency in the community's renewable energy efforts.

Sources

• Clean and green in the frozen white Arctic: Grise Fiord to expand solar energy project, Yukon News.