Look Who it Was Random video

Solar in Alaska: Greening up Diesel Microgrids | David Nicol | TEDxWWU

2,651 views · Published 14 April 2017 · 12:09 · Indexed 21 September 2026

Channel: TEDx Talks · 2017 · Nonprofits & Activism

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Alaskans spend 48% of their take home income on energy. Power and heat in rural Alaskan villages is provided by burning petroleum fuels. Some people are forced to choose between heat and electricity. We need to address this issue in a sustainable and equitable manner.

Together Jason McEvers and I are addressing this by introducing solar energy to Alaska. Solar power doesn’t spring to mind when you think of Alaska but we can install solar arrays that will offset diesel consumption in these villages by approximately 50%. It's particularly efficient during the summer when most Alaskan economic activity occurs. We make these installations without requiring any investment by the rural communities using a buy-sale-leaseback financial model. I will explain this method and how a solar array is integrated with diesel. I’ll also discuss the regulatory and technological challenges we had to meet to make this approach viable.

I grew up on deck working commercial fishing boats in Naknek Alaska.  I always mention this first when people ask who I am. For salmon fishermen like me there are only two seasons: summer (when you fish) and winter (when you don’t).  

About six years ago, I had an “early midlife crisis” that culminated in my changing careers to work on energy access issues. Traditional energy systems were becoming un-affordable which threatened the viability of remote communities in Alaska. I decided to make it my life’s work to help people access clean.

I am Director of Solar Development for Capstone Solutions, I serve as the President of Solar Washington and I'm a Practitioner Member with the United Nations Microgrid group. Through Capstone, we installed the largest solar array in Alaska and successfully worked to create a state regulatory environment that opened Alaska to renewable energy development.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx

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