Village of Solomon is One Step Closer to a New Microgrid

Village of Solomon is One Step Closer to a New Microgrid

The village of Solomon is one step closer to building a new microgrid. The community, 30 miles east of Nome, has been working on its renewable energy plan since 2018 and recently received funding from the to help with its efforts.

ā€œWe need to rebuild an entire infrastructure since we only have a 10 kilowatt diesel generator for all energy needs, which only powers our community facility/bed and breakfast,ā€ said Deilah Johnson, who also was selected to participate in the . 

ACEP researchers have collaborated with Solomon on assessing the solar and wind energy resources from a meteorological tower installed in the community. They also provided a microgrid scenario analysis through a technical assistance contract with . 

reported that a proposed 7,000-watt rooftop solar energy system will power Solomonā€™s community building.

The microgrid will take no more than a week to install. Johnson said this is 

ā€œDeilah Johnson and the Village of Solomon are to be congratulated for their hard work and vision that led to this award to support the installation of solar PV for the community,ā€ said ACEPā€™s Michelle Wilber.

For more information on the resource assessments conducted by ACEP, contact Michelle Wilber at mmwilber@alaska.edu.

 

Sun shines on a solar panel. Photo by Amanda Byrd.