Tsilhqot’in Solar Farm Clean Energy BC - GENERATE November 6, 2019
Solar Farm Team Michel deSpot – Head Engineer Gabe Pukacz – Construction Manager Dolly Kershaw – Economic Development Officer
FROM FEASIBILITY TO REALITY OUR STORY 2014 - 2019
Where we are located
WL Substation End of the line Solar Farm The Chilcotin is served by a weak 250 Km-long power line that runs from Williams Lake to Tatla Lake. The low capacity of the grid throttles economic activities and must be supplemented by diesel generators.
WHERE IT ALL STARTED Nits’il’in Russel Myers Ross – Yunesit’in Government Considering a small scale solar farm in the community
Yunesit’in commissioned a 2014 Feasibility Study to look at two projects: 1. A large scale solar farm at the former Riverwest Mill site – 1 MW 2. A small scale solar farm in the community of Yunesit’in Feasibility Study
• Generation of clean energy; • Improvement to local electrical grid; • Redevelopment of a closed sawmill and adjacent brownfield into a solar farm; • Support to the local communities; • Creation of jobs and business opportunities; • Ongoing revenue source. Why a Solar Farm?
• Locations • Solar irradiation in region • Terrain • Shading • Distance to transmission line • Amount of electricity to be produced • Environmental • Costs • Risks Considerations
35 Kv Distribution Line beside hwy. BIRDS EYE VIEW OF THE SITE
Geotechnical and Pile Testing – November 2017
Racks
First Modules installed – April 13, 2019
Concrete Ballasts – October 2018
New Power Poles – July 2019
Wiring and Modules
Substation Installation
Electrical Installation
Solar Farm Time Line March - BC Trainees Order Hydro Council of August 8 hired equipment announces to Chiefs Pre work and Dually Rack Site and pursue Pre- approve the seek signed Installation officee construction negotiations development Government EPA completed Feasibility repair period with 5 First of a 1MW Funding received Study Internet Ballasts Nations clean Solar Farm Completed energy projects 2014 2016 2017 2018 ➢ Clarifications for land usage ➢ Land ownership ➢ March BC Hydro Application Accepted ➢ Summer BC Hydro SOP under review ➢ December BC Hydro notifies us that no more EPA’s will be issued ➢ Dialogue and Discussions between both parties
Solar Farm Time Line - 2019 Substation Start Installing Construction Trenching Installation High PV modules Construction Lots of PV Modules Construction And voltage Continues Elementary Repair Winter Cables Completed Electrical installation School visits damage Wiring Installation April May June July August September
Financing – Estimated cost $2.8 Million ➢ Proposal Writing and securing grants ➢ Bank Loan Contractors ➢ Expression of Interest – Engineering, Construction, Electrical ➢ RFP – Main equipment suppliers: PV modules, inverters, racks, substation ➢ Conflict of Interest
Mother Nature
October – November 2018 Trainees
April – July 2019 Trainees
Once connected the Tsilhqot’in Solar Farm will be the first large-scale solar power plant 100% owned and operated by First Nations in Western Canada and the largest in BC.
Sechanalhyagh
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