FNPA Community-Scale Projects
Community scale projects can be different sizes and different technologies depending on the jurisdiction. In Saskatchewan, community-scale projects can be 100 kW or smaller under the Net-Metering program or 100kW – 1 MW under the Power Generation Partner Program. In Alberta, community-scale projects can be net-metered or can by 5 MW or smaller under the micro-generation program. Community-scale projects are typically defined as smaller than 1 MW where the purpose of the project is to reduce the consumption and electrical costs for a residential home, or community building. Other community-scale projects can include biomass combined heat and power projects at the district heating scale or the building scale. Geothermal (or geoexchange) for heating and cooling is also considered a community-scale project. Community-scale projects can also include energy efficiency and conservation opportunities through retrofits, building energy management systems, storage and behavioural changes. FNPA is always eager to start with energy efficiency and conservation prior to implementing net-metered or community-scale projects.
- Reduced power costs at the community or building level
- Capacity building opportunities through starting with smaller projects
- Community education from the monitoring and sharing of information regarding electricity production from solar.
- Ability for the community to be 100% owner of the project
- Payback between 8-10 years for net-metered solar projects
- Currently SaskPower offers a 20% cash back rebate for net-metered solar projects
- Relatively low upfront capital cost
- Helps to build community support for larger renewable energy initiatives
- Solar
- Geothermal (geoexchange)
- Biomass
- Storage
- Building Energy Management Systems
- Return on investment is in the form of savings on electricity bills
- Current programs have limits on installation sizes and technologies
- Small projects can sometimes be difficult to access funding and financing
How fnpa.can help you
- Navigating the various programs available and interconnection process
- Project design for solar projects
- Renewable Energy Opportunity Assessment
- Economic and financial analysis of community-scale projects
- Community Energy Planning
- Project management and procurement support
- Education, training and workshops at the community level
What Client’s Say
An excellent project conceptualized and implemented by FNPA in partnership with Lockheed Martin.
FNPA Solar Panels should help with the high cost of keeping the school operating for the year. It will be good to know how much we do save once these panels are in operation.
Recent Projects
Fond du Lac Denesuline Nation
Fond Du Lac Denesuline Nation 2015 Background In 2015, FNPA partnered with Fond du Lac to develop a rooftop solar project for their school. FNPA assisted the community in accessing [...]
Hatchet Lake Denesuline Nation
Hatchet Lake Denesuline Nation 2015 Background In 2015, FNPA partnered with Hatchet Lake to develop a rooftop solar project for their schools. FNPA assisted the community with accessing funding from [...]
16 KW Solar Demonstration Project Swift Current
16 KW Solar Demonstration Project Swift Current, 2014 Background In 2014, FNPA partnered with Lougheed Martin, FHQ Developments and Living Sky Casino in Swift Current to develop a 16 kW [...]