Company will pay a local ranch to graze sheep for at least the next three years starting with groups of 50 to 100 head
A solar project in Alberta plans to pay a nearby producer to graze sheep on its land in what is being seen as an example of the benefits farmers can enjoy under such developments. “I think it’s going to provide a really great opportunity for farmers and just opens the doors to work with these […] Read moreTag Archives solar energy — page 2
Solar energy companies flock to Alberta as sector booms
More individuals install panels on their property, but large projects of more than five megawatts are also popping up
Improved technology, a dramatic drop in the cost of solar panels and provincial and federal goals for greener energy have created a massive demand for solar power, the head of Alberta’s solar organization told Alberta’s general farm organization. In the past 10 years, the price of solar panels has dropped 90 percent, making home and […] Read more
Solar project location near lake draws alarm
There’s a concern sunlight reflecting off 445,000 panels to be built near Frank Lake will be mistaken for water by birds
A proposed solar project east of High River, Alta., is to be built near a lake listed as one of Canada’s most important areas for birds, raising concerns it could harm species such as waterfowl. Sunlight inadvertently reflected by about 445,000 photovoltaic modules or panels at the Foothills Solar Project could potentially be mistaken by […] Read more
Placing solar panels on buildings seen as preferred option
Solar projects should first be encouraged for former industrial sites or the roofs of urban buildings before turning to rural farmland, says a conservationist. The issue is something producers are going to increasingly need to confront as Canada transitions to a low-carbon economy, said Ian Urquhart, executive director of the Alberta Wilderness Association. “And I […] Read more
Opposition arises to solar plan for farmland
140-acre solar farm near Calmar, Alta., is one of three that the Voltarix Group wants to build in the province
CALMAR, Alta. — Carol Ann McKell was an environmentalist before it was cool. The former schoolteacher taught her students how to sew cloth shopping bags, took them on outdoor nature hikes and talked about the importance of wind and solar power almost 30 years ago. McKell and her husband, Robert, support green technology, but do […] Read more
Placing solar panels on building seen as preferred option
Solar projects should first be encouraged for former industrial sites or the roofs of urban buildings before turning to rural farmland, says a conservationist. The issue is something producers are going to increasingly need to confront as Canada transitions to a low-carbon economy, said Ian Urquhart, executive director of the Alberta Wilderness Association. “And I […] Read more
Sask. ag equipment manufacturer goes solar
Maker of Case IH, New Holland and Flexi-Coil brands says it is reducing its carbon foot print while cutting electrical costs
CNH Industrial in Saskatoon is home to the largest solar energy project in the province. More than 1,000 gleaming blue-black panels soak up the sun outside the manufacturer’s facility, where tillage, seeding and harvesting equipment is made under the Case IH, New Holland and Flexi-Coil brands. “This project will yield 331 kilowatts of power for […] Read more
Sask. replaces net metering solar program
Government says previous program was financially unsustainable, but an industry player says the new plan won’t work
Saskatchewan’s new net metering program for solar energy is designed to fail and will squeeze out opportunities for residential and farming customers, says Bradyn Parisian, Owner of Mo Solar Company. SaskPower plans to launch a revamped version of the net-metering program on Nov. 1 after being criticized for cancelling the previous program, which was popular […] Read more
Rebates make solar power a ‘no-brainer’
UPDATE: September 23, 2019 – The day this story was posted SaskPower announced it was halting its net metering program. The program is currently “under review.” Joe Wecker spent years looking into a solar power system for his organic farm in southern Saskatchewan, but it didn’t make financial sense until a rebate program was introduced by […] Read more
Environment drove switch to solar
GRANDORA, Sask. — Tucked away in a woody 80 acres west of Saskatoon, Joe and Sheila Schmutz knew they wanted to add solar panels to their landscape. In addition to their bungalow where they have lived since 1983, they have a shop and kennels where they raise Large Munsterlander hunting dogs. All the buildings rely […] Read more
