The Smoky Lake solar panels almost a year after installation

By Irene van der Kloet

It has been close to a year since the installation of solar panels in Smoky Lake was completed.  How do they work, and what is their benefit? Solar panels contain PV cells (photo voltaic cells, an energy harvesting technology that converts solar energy into useful electricity). These cells absorb energy from the sunlight. This energy creates electrical charges and produces electricity. This would suggest that solar panels only work when the sun shines. In 2018, NAIT published a study into the effectiveness of solar panels when they are covered with snow, a common situation in this part of the world that raised some questions among Smoky Lake residents in the past winter. It was an extensive study in cooperation with the city of Edmonton, the Solar Energy Society of Alberta and Howell-Mayhew Engineering. Twelve solar modules situated atop the Shaw Theatre on NAIT’s main campus were studied. Data was collected every day every five minutes for five years, an extensive study in which the panels would have faced a large variety of weather. Until then, the industry had estimated that the energy loss due to cloudy weather (or panel coverage such as snow) would be close to 20 percent.

However, the study’s results showed that the energy loss is only three percent. In addition, researchers found that the angle at which solar panels are installed has a far more significant impact on energy production than the weather. The panels in Smoky Lake are located next to the arena, a location free of shade and across the road from the future (new) H.A. Kostash school. The place is perfect for catching as much sunshine as possible. It is also an eye-catching project for those debating moving to the community and touring around. The town decided to purchase the panels to reduce costs over the long term. The project “demonstrates a commitment to renewable energy to attract environmentally conscious business growth,” per the words of the then-mayor Hank Halowaychuk. The town did not pay for the total amount of the installation and infrastructure (a total of $366,598.69): it acquired a grant from the Alberta Municipal Solar Program (AMSP) in the amount of $143,616, which reduced the cost for the town to $352,232.69.

The installation purpose has been to minimize town infrastructure power costs, such as the Smoky Lake Museum, Seniors, Drop-In centre, CN Station Museum, Town of Smoky Lake Public Works Maintenance Shop/Fire Hall and the Town Office. The project was expected to save the Town of Smoky Lake close to $16,000 per year, and as per information acquired from the town, the project delivers the anticipated cost savings though the numbers vary per month. Is solar energy the future? Opinions vary: though installation is costly, there is undoubtedly a cost-saving, and some countries (for example, the Netherlands) have widely embraced solar power for municipal and residential use and are offering subsidies for the installation. In Canada, the Canada Greener Homes Grant offers up to $5,000 off the total solar system cost. With the cost of energy rising, it may be something to consider.