Outfitters and remote lodge owners are slowly gaining a measure of energy independence from their fuel-hogging diesel generators.
Off-grid fly-in lodges have depended almost exclusively on generators to power every aspect of their back country operations.
But with high fuel prices, combined with tough times in tourism and tight budgets for camp operators have made the switch from diesel to solar power almost too risky to try, says Doug Reynolds, executive director for the Northern Ontario Tourist Outfitters Association (NOTO).
The challenge for many is not just finding the money, but the lack of knowledge about solar energy has been a barrier to creating a more competitive, vibrant and enlightened outdoor industry.
Some operators of small outpost camps have embraced solar technology more readily than the big main lodge owners because of the capital costs required for bigger, more complex systems.
“These are big ticket items and it’s not a very mature industry in terms of the folks selling and installing the stuff,” says Reynolds. Most want to get rid of their generators, but costs are always an issue.
As well, it’s a steep uphill learning curve to fully understand the benefits of what can be an expensive technology, especially if the knowledge from local vendors isn’t available.
To help promote Queen’s Park’s energy reduction agenda, NOTO partnered with the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund, caretakers of the Small Business Energy Conservation Program, to get better buy-in from its members on the use of solar.
The North Bay-based association represents more than 2,500 outfitters, suppliers, hoteliers, financial services, marketing, sporting good suppliers, insurance companies, and travel associations.
Solar systems have always been popular to install at remote fly-in cabins where simpler, residential-type, systems can be installed.
But it’s more difficult to wean some operators off their 20-kilowatt diesel generators.
“Reliability is everything for these folks,” says Reynolds.
In one NOTO case study, a small off-grid lodge on diesel was consuming 20-25-kilowatt hours per day.
Unless camp owners track their power demand, often they don’t see the reason to improve energy efficiency, and don’t know what size of system they need.
And many operators use oversized generators running at only 10 to 20 per cent load. “They’re horrendously fuel inefficient.”
Through the provincial program, remote tourism outfitters are receiving matching government funds to buy and install solar power systems to replace diesel generators.
“The concept of doing it has been enthusiastically embraced, it’s really getting people over the barriers in making the decision to go ahead.”
Reynolds says some early solar trailblazers had many difficulties in having to repeatedly modify systems and make changes because the level of technical expertise was not there.
Without some basic knowledge, “a lodge owner is at the mercy of the vendor.”
To that end, NOTO teamed up with the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund, the caretakers of the provincial Small Business Energy Conservation program, in hiring a renewable energy consultant to prepare a how-to video.
The videotape featuring J.P Pawliw of Generation Solar is a step-by-step guide on what questions to ask before making a hefty investment in solar power.
One of the first steps is installing some basic infrastructure with a power inventor and a battery bank, which can be charged in bursts from a diesel generator.
“Instead of running it 24/7, run four to five hours per day at full load and let the batteries carry you,” says Reynolds.
Generators can be programmed to run in bursts to charge the batteries.
With these “building blocks” in place, photovoltaic panels can be added later.
Reynolds says published research shows fuel consumption can be 30 to 35 per cent lower, before a camp owner even installs solar panels.
Solar can replace diesel if nothing goes wrong, such as an overcast month in July, but most camp owners still retain diesel for back-up.
Typically battery banks and inverters cost in the $20,000 range. It’s another $40,000 to $45,000 on average to install enough solar panels to replace a generator.
Reynolds says individual operators must calculate their own return on investment after factoring in their peak power demand and the expense of handling and transporting diesel fuel to a fly-in location.
Solar can also be a good substitute for propane where it can be used to heat water for showers and dishes.
Inexpensive and simple solar thermal systems have probably the best economics and fastest pay-back, says Reynolds, and can reduce propane consumption to a fraction.
Reynolds says when the program started, there was luke warm interest in energy conservation.
“Over the last three months, the level of public consciousness over the importance of reducing our use of fossil fuel, because of global climate change, has just exploded.
“There’s often the misconception that the traditional hook and boat crowd are not as green. That’s never be my experience. The traditional fishing lodge is ultra-concerned about the quality of their fishery and overall environmental quality.”
