Inuvik Solar Resource Assessment Monitoring Campaign

Régions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Gwich'in Settlement Area

étiquettes: solar energy, solar radiation

chercheur principal: Schwarz, David (8)
Nᵒ de permis: 17391
Organisation: Aurora Research Institute
Année(s) de permis: 2024 2023
Délivré: nov. 09, 2023
Équipe de projet: Patrick Gall

Objectif(s): To conduct a solar resource assessment monitoring campaign at the Inuvik Satellite Station Facility (ISSF).

Description du projet: This licence has been issued for the scientific research application No. 5726. To conduct a solar resource assessment monitoring campaign at the Inuvik Satellite Station Facility (ISSF). NRG Systems designs solar resource assessment systems that suit a variety of climates, terrains, and applications. Aurora Research Institute (ARI) is currently in the process of purchasing three NRG Systems SRA (Solar Resource Assessment) Systems. The SRA System is a complete and integrated measurement solution for the formal resource assessment of solar projects. ARI proposes to install one SRA System at ISSF where the research team will train and become familiar with the equipment. The Inuvik Solar Resource Assessment Monitoring Campaign will be broken into multiple sections as follows: 1) Measurements of a variety of meteorological parameters for solar resource assessment will be taken over the course of at least one year. Once installed, regular maintenance of the equipment is critical (e.g., the solar sensors need to be routinely cleaned) to produce meaningful resource assessment results and having the equipment at ISSF will enable the research team to perform this maintenance. The data gathered by the SRA System will be regularly collected and analyzed for maintenance issues and regular visits to the site will be also be made to check and clean the equipment. 2) The solar measurements will be used to estimate the PV panel efficiency and power output of ISSF’s new solar array and the estimates will be compared to the actual power output of the array. The solar measurements will also be used to characterize the solar resource in general. 3) Once the data collection for this monitoring campaign is complete, the SRA System will be completely removed. Site cleanup will be thorough and in accordance with Government of Canada requirements. The communication plan is comprised of three parts: 1) Informational pamphlets and tours of the SRA System will be arranged to inform the community of the monitoring campaign. These materials will be aimed at raising public awareness surrounding solar monitoring equipment and their importance in the development of solar energy projects. 2) The primary output will be the data collected during the campaign, which will be made available to the ISSF, the community and local industry to make vital decisions regarding future solar developments. Reports will also be produced which analyze the data and characterize the resource. The reports will also be aimed at organizations and funding partners looking to expand solar resource assessment and its application to future energy programs in the north. 3) As part of a broader initiative, the research team is working to increase the amount of video content that is being produced about its projects. As a result, the team plans to produce informational videos surrounding the work for this project. The videos will not only concentrate on the results, but also describe the process for setting up the project, managing the installation, and operating the equipment. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from: January 01 - December 31, 2024