The City of Kimberley has released the SunMine production numbers for the fourth quarter of 2018 and City CAO Scott Sommerville says that the forth quarter is typically the worst.
October’s revenue saw $14,973 on 123.55 MWh, while November’s revenue saw $6,079 on 50.54 MWh and December saw $5,989 on 45.91 MWh. Fourth quarter production was 71.6 per cent of projected, generating a total of $27,040 in revenue.
“We have installed a camera that will be completing a time lapse of the solar panels,” explained Sommerville. “We want to see what affect the snow and frost has on production numbers.”
READ MORE: Kimberley SunMine third quarter report
Although the panels do have a sensor that detects snow and performs a ‘snow dump’, Sommerville estimates that frost sticking to the panels may have an affect on the amount of sunlight they take in.
“It wasn’t a terrible quarter but it also wasn’t what we expected in terms of projected numbers. There aren’t a lot of people we can call up and ask to compare,” said Sommerville. “We’re still learning and we hope to be able to solve the problem…”
Mayor Don McCormick referenced the frost on a car windshield for comparison, saying that if it is cloudy the sun won’t melt the frost which makes it even harder for the solar panels to track the sun.
READ MORE: City meeting with Teck to proceed with SunMine sale
In terms of the sale of the SunMine with Teck, which was approved by electors in conjunction with the 2018 municipal election, Sommerville says the company is sending an expert to Kimberley within the next two weeks to meet with electricians and take a look at the small parts.
“The City continues to work with Teck in conducting due diligence towards the sale of the SunMine,” he said. “They are still doing their homework.”
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