First Nation builds spirited solar project in the heart of Canada’s oil sands

One of Alberta’s biggest solar projects has been built in one of the most unlikely places—the heart of Canada’s Peace River <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/oilsands" target="_blank">oil sands</a>. The <a href="http://www.lubiconlakeband.ca/about/" target="_blank">Lubicon Lake Band</a> aboriginal community launched the Piitapan Solar Project, a 20.8kW renewable energy installation in Little Buffalo, Alberta. The inspiring 80-panel <a href="http://inhabitat.com/environment/solar-power" target="_blank">solar project</a> was developed in a bid to create more green jobs and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

The solar project will power the First Nation’s new health center and feed the excess into the power grid.

The community-owned and operated Piitapan Solar Project was created without a cent of government funding—Laboucan-Massimo said there was very limited funding for renewable energy projects in Alberta and in Canada—and made possible by fundraising help from Laboucan-Massimo’s partner company W Dusk Energy, a BullFrog Power grant, and donations from Jane Fonda and the Honor the Earth Foundation.

The solar project community leader hopes that the Piitapan Solar Project will expand to cover more of the community’s energy needs and inspire the Alberta government to step up monetary support for renewable energy projects.

Kids putting their hands in a cement installation at the base of the solar panels to commemorate the launch date.

The 80 solar panels serve as a highly visible beacon of hope for a return to self-sufficiency and reduced reliance on fossil fuels.

Before picture of the solar project site.

The construction team also plans to host educational workshops on renewable energy at schools.

Melina Laboucan-Massimo described the project as “one of the biggest solar installations in northern Alberta, especially in the tar sands.”