Next summer, residents of Matanuska–Susitna Borough are going to get more energy from the sun. Construction on Houston’s largest solar farm is set to be completed by that time. It will produce enough energy for 1,400 homes.
On Oct. 27, the state-owned Alaska Energy Authority announced that it would lend $4.9 million for the project.
Curtis Thayer, Executive Director of AEA, says that renewables such as solar can offset Railbelt communities’ dependence on natural gas. Thayer said that the governor and the state want to reduce carbon emissions but it won’t happen overnight.
“You won’t be able do everything on wind, solar, or hydro. Thayer stated that there must be a balance. “So that balance is that technology advances will hopefully allow us to wean ourselves from carbon, but that’s only a bridge.”
Thayer claims that the increased renewable power won’t increase costs and even help stabilize rates over the long-term. According to Jenn Miller (CEO of Renewable IPP), the price of solar power has dropped rapidly in recent years, dropping between 80-90% and 80-90% in the past decade.
Renewable IPP constructed the Alaska’s largest solar farm, a 1.2 megawatt array located next to Willow’s Parks Highway. It was built three years ago. Miller’s company, which is currently developing the Houston project down the highway, has more than six times the capacity at 8.5 megawatts.
“The perception is that there’s solar in Alaska. Miller stated, “You must be crazy!” But Miller explained that the technology is now viable because of the dramatic drop in price.
Miller claims that the Houston array is well-suited for Alaska’s climate, as the panels are double-sided. This optimizes their winter production.
“And so, February, March – there are many sunny good days during that period as well. Miller stated that we will be able capture more production as it bounces off of the snow and hits backside of the panel.”
Alaska gets less than 1 percent of its electricity from solar power, but Miller believes that this number will rise as technology improves.
Houston is expected to be complete by August 2023.
