Canadian Solar Inc. has completed a hybrid photovoltaic-diesel power microgrid in a remote community in northern Ontario. The 152 kW rooftop solar array on the Deer Lake First Nation Elementary School was completed by Canadian Solar in partnership with NCC Development LP (NCC), a First Nation renewable energy management company.
The focus of the partnership is to promote PV services and projects is areas heavily reliant on diesel and challenged by limited access to electricity. Serving the First Nations of Deer Lake, Fort Severn, Keewaywin, North Spirit Lake, Poplar Hill and McDowell Lake, NCC has identified more than 80 First Nations and remote communities for potential microgrid deployment.Â
‘To reduce peak load and connect five more homes, we developed a three-part plan, including conservation, load shifting and installing a PV solar system," says Chief Royale Meekis, the leader of Deer Lake First Nation." This is important not only for the families who are waiting to move into these new houses, but for all of Deer Lake.’
Deer Lake First Nation aims to replace 50% of its diesel consumption with hybrid microgrid retrofits.
