Powering the North with Portable Solar Energy
Sarah Newton a Whitehorse, Yukon-based entrepreneur, is tackling the pervasive problem of noisy, polluting diesel generators by building a portable, clean energy solution for remote events and camps.
The Vision: Quiet Power for the Land
Inspired by the constant hum of diesel generators in remote camps, Sarah set out to design an environmentally-friendly power source that is as easy to use as a generator but completely silent and emissions-free. In partnership with John Jensen at mGrid and with funding from the Yukon University Innovation and Entrepreneurship fund, the project is now in its final prototyping phase.
Learn about the key design specs of this modular system:
A 3-kilowatt capacity—enough to power a small stage or a beverage station.
The entire unit is easily transportable, fitting neatly within a minivan.
An ingenious, simple six-piece racking system designed for quick setup by two people, even accommodating the high-latitude sun with an A-frame arrangement.
Overcoming Technical and Logistical Hurdles
Sarah shares the surprising challenges of this project, noting that the biggest hurdles weren’t technical, but logistical and administrative—specifically managing cash flow through reimbursements. She also details the crucial design challenge of creating a racking system that was truly lightweight and equivalent to the ease of use of a small generator, which she solved with help from a friend.
Looking Ahead: Events, Education, and Investment
The long-term business plan is to sell these systems to First Nation development corporations who could then rent them out for events, AGMs, or remote company camps within their traditional territories.
Sarah is currently focused on testing and optimization, hoping to debut the system this summer at various events. She plans to use a visual display to educate users—such as demonstrating the power spike of a blender while making sun-themed cocktails—to bring attention to the value of clean, monitored energy usage.
She also discusses the modular design, which allows multiple units to be strung together for larger power needs (up to 5kW or 10kW), making it suitable for a range of medium-scale events.
Listen in to hear how this Yukon-based project is looking to replace the noise of diesel with the quiet hum of solar power. If you are interested in investing, partnering, or helping out, Sarah invites you to connect at chromaticlandscapes@gmail.com.