solar
The solar power structure installed in Swift Current prior to its removal (Photo: FNPA)

There has been a vanishing act of solar panels in Swift Current.

Earlier in April, a solar power generation system developed by Lockheed Martin Canada was installed by the First Nations Power Authority of Saskatchewan behind Home Inn and Suites on Battleford Trail East, but due to strong winds last weekend, the structure fell over and was removed.

"The system ran into a small mechanical repair issue the week prior and we were waiting on a part, and then there was some big wind over the weekend," said Leah Nelson-Guay, Chief Executive Officer for the FNPA. "The system was sitting in need of repair and unfortunately wasn't about to withstand the wind."

"As a result, Lockheed has gone back and they do have another system that they could deploy out to us," she added. "But prior to doing that they would like to understand on the design side are there any flaws in the design are there any issues that need to be addressed prior to deploying that system out."

Nelson-Guay adds they are hoping they can have the panels back up soon, saying that Swift Current is an ideal location for the project.

"Southern Saskatchewan has the highest solar radiation in all of Canada," she said. "They were interested to find out what kind of solar radiation we could collect in Swift Current, so we have a 5 year agreement in place with them to and collect and share data."