Sunchild First Nation School

Sunchild First Nation took over a 100 kilowatt (kW) roof-mounted ballast solar photovoltaics (PV) system designed, built and commissioned by ATCO as part of Sunchild?s energy independence strategy. The system currently offsets the school?s energy needs. 

ATCO self-performed the full project (engineering, procurement, and construction) and hired locals from the community to complete much of the installation.

Working with the community, we determined the best time of year to install the system and minimize disruption to school operations. As part of this project, we also developed a ?Renewables 101? course for grades K ? 6 that covers fundamentals of solar generation and solar PV panels, and an electricity overview of how electricity flows through to the grid.

Following this initiative, Sunchild First Nation engaged ATCO to complete a pre-feasibility study for a 2.5 megawatt (MW) ground-mount solar project. The study evaluated the opportunity for a distributed generation connection of a ground-mount solar farm to offset the community?s entire electrical consumption with solar power. 

ATCO worked with Sunchild First Nation to identify three additional potential solar generation sites and completed a preliminary design and technical assessment for all three sites. In addition, ATCO evaluated site feasibility, taking into account risk appetite, and provided an assessment of the project's availability for capital investment and grant funding.