HomeMy WebLinkAboutSolar Energy Program 09-22-2016-S\
Solar Energy
Alaska’s high latitude presents the challenge of having minimal solar energy during long winter
months when the energy demand is greatest. However, solar energy plays an important role in
small, off-grid power generation and low-power applications, such as remote communication sites.
Solar technology is rapidly changing with the advent of less expensive panels, higher efficiency
panels, more sophisticated inverters, and micro-inverters.
AEA provides solar energy information, references, resources, and technical assistance, and shares
information about solar project issues like microgrid phase imbalance.
AEA has formed an Alaska Solar Working Group to share information and track the performance
of solar projects in Alaska. The group met at the April 2016 Rural Energy conference in Fairbanks.
Current Status: AEA has awarded three Renewable Energy Fund grants for solar energy
projects. The first was to Golden Valley Electric Association for a 1,300 square-foot solar
thermal water heating project at the Denali Education Center near Denali National Park. The
second was to Alaska Village Electric Cooperative for a 9.6 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic
project in Kaltag. The third is to Alaska Power and Telephone for a 24 kW solar photovoltaic
project in Eagle. The first two have been operating as projected for several years, and the Eagle
project was commissioned in June of 2015.
AEA sponsored and helped to organize a Solar Energy Workshop, led by the Alaska Center for
Energy and Power. It was held in Anchorage on April 30, 2015.
Kaltag Solar
Photovoltaic Project
Revised: September 22, 2016