You’ve got the power: Nunavummiut learn to install cabin solar panels

This story was updated March 5 at 10:20 a.m. ET

As daytime in the Arctic is getting longer, Nunavummiut have the chance to learn more about solar energy and how to use it in their day-to-day lives.

Over five days last week for seven hours each day, 12 to 15 people attended a Relay Education course at Nunavut Research Institute in Iqaluit to learn how to safely install solar panels on cabins.

It attracted a mix of participants — some with a background in trades but who had never installed solar panels, and others who had no experience in that kind of work.

“We try to remove the barriers on participation in the course, so that’s why we don’t require any prior knowledge,” said Andrew Cahill, lead instructor with Relay Education, a Canada-wide charity that provides programming about renewable energy, conservation, climate change and green careers.

After Iqaluit, similar courses are being held in Cambridge Bay from March 3 to 7 and Rankin Inlet from March 17 to 21. All of them are free of charge.

Relay Education organized the courses in partnership with Arctic Renewables Society, which provides training and project development to help reduce diesel consumption in Nunavut.

Solar panels are used to transform energy from the sun’s heat and light into electricity that can power a building.

Participants learn basic terminology and how to safely work with electricity.

“We are explaining what are voltage and current, how to calculate power, and the difference between power and energy,” Cahill said.

“Laying that groundwork of electrical terms and concepts to make sure everyone starts off on the same page.”

Next, the participants learn about solar energy and get hands-on experience in installing the panels onto a mock roof.

They practise using safety gear for working at heights. Everyone who completes the course will receive an Electric Safety Basics and Fall Protection certificate from Relay Education.

As well, they get a tool kit with items like screwdrivers and wire cutters along with safety equipment.

The price to install panels on an off-grid cabin can range from a couple of hundred dollars — strong enough to charge a cellphone, Cahill said — to several thousand dollars, depending on the expected use.

Andrew Cahill, Relay Education’s lead instructor, shows how to use safety equipment during a course at the Nunavut Research Institute in Iqaluit last week. (Photo by Arty Sarkisian)

“For $5,000 to $10,000, you can get a really robust system that’s going to allow you to use a kettle or a toaster oven ­— things that require heat usually take a lot more power,” he said, adding that often government grants will cover most, if not all, of the installation costs.

Cabin owners can apply for a one-time grant of up to $5,000 to install solar or wind power systems through the territorial Department of Environment.

For buildings within municipal boundaries, homeowners can also apply for Nunavut Housing Corp.’s one-time grant covering half the cost, to a maximum of $30,000, toward a solar energy system.

Participants will also get the chance to learn more about government grants and how to apply for them as part of the course, Cahill said.

Note: This story was updated to note the participation of Arctic Renewables Society.