By James Rose
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Columbia Lake Recreation Centre is now partially powered by solar energy. Close to a quarter of the building’s energy needs is estimated to come from the new solar panels built alongside the buildings.
Building out the added power infrastructure for the relatively new building was completed this past May. “In total, there are fifty-six 320-watt panels,” said Lorne Shovar, Interim Senior Administrative Officer for Akisqnuk First Nation. “We expect the panels to produce 22,122 kilowatt-hours (kwh) per year, and the building currently uses about 73,000 kwh.”
A crucial aspect of the project was gaining approval from BC Hydro to tie into their grid. “It took a while for the application to go through, but it was worth the wait,” Shovar said. Connecting into BC Hydro’s grid enables Akisqnuk not to invest in storage infrastructure for excess supply. Peak sun harvest occurs during the summer months.
When there is too much energy to be used from the panels, there is an agreement in place whereby BC Hydro will pay for excess energy. Whereas in the winter, when the sun doesn’t shine so much, BC Hydro will sell to the recreation centre any additional power needed.
The project was made possible by the Columbia Basin Trust (CBT). “In 2019 we saw the Trust had energy grants,” Shovar said. “We applied for two to enable us to add solar panels not only on the rec centre but also our admin building.” Akisqnuk was successful in winning both grants totalling $48,000. The plan is for solar power to help offset the costs of operating the building until membership fees increase. Still relatively new to the community, membership fee income has not yet reached Akisqnuk’s pro forma projections.
Since the pandemic began, power needs for the recreation centre have been rather minimal. The building has been closed since the spring of 2020. “But we’re hoping by fall to be back up and running again full steam,” Shovar said.
