The Suffield Solar project is set to be completed next month. (CHAT News photo).

By Alex McCuaig

Suffield Solar

Suffield Solar getting ready to soak up the sun

Aug 24, 2020 | 4:06 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – One of the largest solar farms in the province is set to be completed next month as the 23-megawatt Suffield Solar project comes online.

The $45 million project, located just outside of Suffield along the Trans-Canada Highway, was partially funded by the federal government with $15 million from the Emerging Renewables Power Program.

The project will utilize bi-facial solar panels which will allow collection of energy from both the sun and reflections off the surface of the ground, says Ryan Tourigny with project proponent Canadian Solar Solutions.

“It has a big advantage in our wintertime in that we can take some reflection off the ground – particularly when there is snow – and generate from that,” said Tourigny.

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But its the technological advancement of solar development which is putting a dent in the “not ready for prime time” criticism of the energy source, said Tourigny, adding this project is demonstrating the cost effectiveness of sun-powered electricity generation.

Tourigny says southeastern Alberta has some of the greatest solar generation production in the country and Canadian Solar currently has projects in Jenner, Hays and Tilley on the go.

Something which he says the company will be able to use to offer stable employment to local workers.

“As with the employment of these projects, we really aim to make sure it’s not a very cyclical thing for our workforce but they can be working from projects to projects,” said Tourigny.

Suffield Solar is anticipated to generate enough electricity to power 8,000 homes annually.