Weekly Newsletters
T’Sou-ke First Nation – Centre for Sustainable Living
The T'Sou-ke Solar Community developed out of the need for a sustainable future. Their visioning demonstrated that the combination of climate change, peak oil and global economic instability could leave all communities in a very vulnerable position in the near future.
The T’Sou-ke Solar Community developed out of the recognized need for a sustainable future. Their visioning demonstrated that the combination of climate change, peak oil and global economic instability could leave all communities in a very vulnerable position. All members of the community worked together to develop a Comprehensive Strategic Framework and Action Plan. The plan involved identifying goals that could lead to growth in all areas of the community. All plans were to be carried out sustainably and from here T’Sou-ke set out to develop their Solar Community.
T’Sou-ke demonstrated the viability of Solar energy for on-grid and particularly off-grid communities. They have been recognized for their achievements in Parliament, countless news papers and programs, and among City Councils that surround the community.
Toward Energy Autonomy: The T’Sou-ke Solar Community
T’Sou-ke’s comprehensive visioning process led to the development of the T’Sou-ke Centre for Sustainable Living and it is from this centre that the T’Sou-ke Solar Community developed. The Centre for Sustainable Development is held up by four pillars:
T’Sou-ke is moving ahead on all fronts, sustainably and as a community. T’Sou-ke welcomes you to be a part of the progress through viewing their visual story of community achievements.
T’Sou-ke Nation Strategic Plan - Part 1 and 2
The T’Sou-ke First Nation Community
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In 2009 the T’Sou-ke Centre for Sustainable Living developed the T’Sou-ke Solar Energy Demonstration Project. The intensive project included an energy conservation program, solar hot water installations of 38 homes, and three unique Solar Photovoltaic (PV) applications consisting of 75 kW of power. Although known for their cloudy wet weathers, T’Sou-ke receives more sunshine than the most solar developed country in the world, Germay. T'Sou-ke's efforts have paid off as both the energy conservation program and the solar hot water systems have proven cost effective. Community members see the savings on their electricity bills every month! Bringing Solar PV back to the public’s attention, T’Sou-ke demonstrated three different and unique systems: the Net Producer System, the Emergency Battery Back-up and Net Zero System, and the Autonomous System.
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Net Producer System : view more
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A massive 62kW system that is connected to BC Hydro’s provincial electrical grid. The solar energy produced through this system is available to the community or for sale to BC Hydro. |
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Emergency Battery Back-up and Net Zero System : view more
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This 7kW system is used as emergency power in the case of an electrical outage but is also connected to the hydro electrical grid and can sell excess power back; by a year’s end the cost of power consumed is offset by the power sold back to BC Hydro. |
Autonomous System : view more
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This system simulates a remote building not connected to an electrical grid; here solar PV provides 50% of the electricity and an integrated diesel generator provides the remaining power. Due to the high cost of diesel that is transported long distances in order to power remote communities, the Autonomous System application was the only system proven to be economically feasible. |
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T'Sou-ke Renewable Energy Toolkit
The entire demonstration project has brought numerous benefits to the community and the success of this project has attracted the attention of other First Nations. More details of the systems and benefits can be found in the T’Sou-ke Renewable Energy Toolkit. To view the T’Sou-ke Renewable Energy Toolkit Click Here.
Unique Value
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First Nations communities, especially in remote areas, face economic, social, and environmental challenges that threaten their future sustainability. One avenue to enhance sustainability is to achieve energy self-sufficiency, and T’Sou-ke Nation on Vancouver Island, British Columbia is on the road to achieving this. For the T’Sou-ke People, this story is about resiliency, about overcoming the many challenges of the times. Just as important as clean energy, new jobs, and training are needed to integrate this technology with their own sustainable culture – language, art, values and traditions. “We have a strong desire to re-establish our identity and develop our community resilience to provide a safe, nurturing world with opportunities for our children and grandchildren.”
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