The placement of solar farms in our optimal locations produces almost all of the electrical output the North Grid requires. The solar modules are quite close to existing transmission lines, do not require the clear-cutting of forests, and will not have detrimental effects on bird populations once construction is complete. Area requirements are also quite low: less than one km² would supply the North Grid with enough electricity.

Photovoltaic tracking overnight capital costs run at about US$2644/kW

1 MW = 1000kW

1 MW = US$2,644,000.00

12.545 x US$2,644,000 = US$33,168,980

While some areas suitable for wave energy are close to Masset, most areas are far off-shore to the southwest. This represents greater investments in infrastructure. Wave energy converter technology is still in its infancy as well, and will require greater mass production and better design to reach lower price levels and greater efficiency in power conversion.

1 kW = EUR$5650

1 MW = 1000 x EUR$5650 = EUR$5,650,000

12.545 x EUR$5,650,000 = EUR$70,879,250

Converted to US$ (1.19 conversion rate), it is closer to US$84,346,307.50

Wind energy would be suitable for development in the Hecate Strait, except that is it not cost-effective at low project sizes. In order for the project to be profitable, it would have to greatly exceed the North Grid’s goal of 12.545 MW capacity. This would require a substantial areal and financial investment due to the high costs of off-shore turbine placement and the laying of additional transmission line. 

The total project requires at least 12.545MW, so:

US$5000 per kW

12,545 kW in 12.545MW

5000 x 12,545 = $62,725,000

Despite these sources of error and inaccuracies, our results suggest that the solar alternative will prove to be the most cost-effective and environmentally benign solution to providing the North Grid with ample electricity. The solar method requires the least amount of space, is closest to existing transmission lines, and represents the lowest initial capital costs.