Kingfisher Lake installs solar panels at water treatment plant

In an effort to save money on its high electricity bill and free up power for new homes in the future, Kingfisher Lake First Nation has installed a solar power project on the roof of its water treatment plant.
The small-scale solar project provides about 10 kilowatts of power into the community’s electricity grid, helping to offset some of the costs of powering the water treatment plant.
“We’re trying to find ways to minimize the high cost of energy,” said Kingfisher Lake Chief James Mamakwa. “This project helps a little.”
The solar panels are expected to save the First Nation an estimated $7,500 per year on its electricity bill, while reducing the amount of fuel used at the generating station and cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
Mamakwa said the solar panels are a small step towards freeing up power so the community can build more houses. Currently Kingfisher Lake cannot connect new houses to its electricity grid, as the generating stations are at capacity and the federal government has refused to upgrade the generators. Yet, as Mamakwa said, the community is growing and has a “big time” need for new houses.
He said the community plans to look at putting solar panels on other band buildings, such as the band offices, the community store and other big electricity users to free up more power for new houses.
The solar panel project on the water treatment plant cost $75,000 to install, and was funded by Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Canada’s ecoENERGY program.
According to Shibogama Technical Services’ environmental advisor Laura Sayers, in its first month of winter operation the system has already produced over 500 kilowatt hours of power and saved over 600 pounds of greenhouse gases.
Sayers said Kingfisher Lake’s solar project is a good example of how communities can think outside the box to work on their energy problems.
“Going with solar energy is a good way to go,” Sayers said. “Every little bit helps.”
Mamakwa said a different project done with an energy savings program through the provincial government has also helped the community save money on its electricity bill. Under the provincial program, Kingfisher Lake received funding to change all the light bulbs in band-run buildings to energy-efficient lighbulbs.
“We’ve seen quite a bit of savings with that,” Mamakwa said.
In the long run however, Mamakwa said his community is “anxiously waiting” for a transmission line to connect Kingfisher Lake to the southern electricity grid, so that Kingfisher Lake can get to work building the much needed new houses to meet the community’s growing housing needs.