BROOKS, AB. – A solar array has been constructed on the east side of the TransCanada Highway near Brooks, AB. The solar panels will collect enough sunlight to power 3000 local homes.
Graeme Millen, Elemental Energy has been developing the project and is excited for the future of solar power in southern Alberta.
“There are lot’s of solar projects in the works in Alberta, but we are proud to say this is the first of this scale,” he said.
The project is the largest solar array in western Canada. It will cost just over 30 million dollars to complete and will have a footprint of just 70 acres he explained.
Newell County Reeve Molly Douglass, said the Brooks area was a great location for the project given the yearly average of 330 days of sunshine. This project means more than just locally produced energy said Douglass, it has also stimulated the local economy.
“Economic development provides jobs and jobs mean people are happy in our communities,” she explained.
The solar array has employed 60% local labourers and 90% of the employment opportunities with the project have employed Albertans said Millen.
“Folks who have the benefit of working on this project are being trained in solar, they will then have the opportunity to whats expected to be a long term industry here in Alberta,” he said.
It has not yet been announced who the long term private party purchasing the power will be.
