Arctic solar farm brings light to clean energy challenge
An innovative approach to healthier, more sustainable northern communities
Photo credit: The Vuntut Gwitchin Government
Climate change occurs 3 times faster in the Arctic than anywhere else on Earth. Indigenous and Northern communities are witnessing the impacts on their way of life, culture and traditions, and face other challenges brought about by remoteness, aging infrastructure and their reliance on diesel fuel. Vuntut Gwitchin is one of the first communities in Canada to declare a climate emergency.
Vuntut Gwitchin took up the challenge to find clean energy solutions and reduce dependence on fossil fuels through their Old Crow Solar Project. Sree Vyàa (Old Crow) lacks access to the larger energy grid, as it's the only fly-in community in Yukon.
Largest solar project of its kind in Yukon
The Vuntut Gwitchin Government used solar and battery technology to create the largest solar energy project of its kind in this remote Yukon community. The Old Crow Solar Project (called Sree Vyàa) uses a 940 kilowatt solar array and a 616 kilowatt-hour battery energy storage system to provide electricity for the community. The project has significantly reduced their diesel fuel consumption.
"The silent presence of Sree Vyàa in our community is constant inspiration to our nation as we continue on our path to carbon neutrality," says Vuntut Gwitchin Government Chief Dana Tizya-Tramm.
Solar technologies perform well in Northern climates. They are very effective at generating electricity and displacing diesel in the North. Annual solar irradiance in the North is often higher than southern locations. While solar generation is low during short winter days, long summer days more than make up for it.
A community benefits, and a vision for a green future takes hold
The success of the solar project is a significant achievement from an environmental, social and economic perspective.
As a clean energy alternative to diesel generation, the project is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 680 tons of CO2 annually, the equivalent of taking 140 cars off the road. By bringing solar energy to Old Crow, Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation inspires others with their tireless efforts to find alternative solutions to replace their use of diesel with clean energy and to lessen their impact on the environment.
This solar project is benefitting the entire community by creating jobs and revenue that can be invested in future clean energy initiatives for the First Nation and by improving air quality and reducing noise pollution. There are times when the community can run entirely on solar power, silencing the generators.
Chief Dana Tizya-Tramm underlines the significance of this project: "The Old Crow Solar Project is a concrete example of what we can accomplish when we work together to meet common climate commitments. We look forward to continuing this important collaboration with the Government of Canada and our other partners."
Supporting made-in-the-North solutions
With a combined contribution of $7.89 million from the Government of Canada, this project is one of many Indigenous clean energy projects supported through federal government programs.
Successful clean energy projects strengthen community decision-making and support a vision for a green future, sustaining healthier, more prosperous and resilient communities in the North.