Solar power coming to Fort Simpson

Green energy is coming to Fort Simpson, N.W.T.

SkyFire Energy has been awarded a contract to build more than 250 solar panels near the communitys airport.

Construction is expected to start at the end of November.

Company president Tim Schulhauser says the project will help lessen Fort Simpsons dependence on diesel.

"The output for the system will, and it depends on your assumptions here, but itll provide approximately 100 per cent of the annual electricity used by about nine or 10 houses," he said.

Schulhauser says this solar project will be bigger than any other solar field in Alberta or Saskatchewan.

Although the winters in Fort Simpson are dark, Schulhauser says the summers are so bright the panels will create quite a bit of energy.

"The system in Fort Simpson will actually produce more electricity than if this system was installed in Paris, France, Tokyo, Berlin or London, England."

He wouldnt comment on how much construction will cost, but he says it would be normal for a project of this size to cost between $300,000 and $600,000.

Schulhauser expects construction to be complete by January.

About 1,200 people live in the town.