Photovoltaics Archives | Alberta Farmer Express

Being ‘tied’ into a power grid allows you to sell excess power in summer and buy it back in winter, essentially turning the grid into a “storage battery.” Pictured here is a 170.2-kW project installed by Solar Optix at Oosterhuis/G+C Farms near Bow Island.

The sun still shines on solar energy in rural Alberta

By Jeff Melchior June 29, 2018

It’s been two years since the provincial government announced its plan to power 30 per cent of Alberta’s electrical grid with renewables by 2030, along with a $5-million commitment to help rural Alberta connect to the solar grid. There’s been good take-up by producers, says the executive director of the Solar Energy Society of Alberta, […] Read more

There are a host of factors to consider before deciding on a solar photovoltaic system, says Erika Grintals of Solar Optix Energy Services, pictured here next to a 170.2-kW system using bi-facial modules installed at  G + C Farms in Bow Island.

News

The sun doesn’t always shine on every solar project

It’s a good time to install a solar system, but you need to consider many factors before plunging in

By Jeff Melchior June 13, 2018

If you’re a producer who has recently decided to install a solar photovoltaic (PV) array on your farm or ranch, your timing is right. Under the Alberta Agriculture and Forestry On-Farm Solar Voltaics Program, the provincial government is offering to cover up to 35 per cent of costs for producers building on-farm, grid-tied solar systems. […] Read more

News

Province announces funding for ag energy projects

Over the next four years, $81 million will be spent for solar systems,  low-pressure irrigation, and energy efficiency upgrades

By Staff February 15, 2018

The details are still being worked out, but federal cash for curbing carbon emissions is beginning to flow. Alberta’s provincial government is directing some of its share of Ottawa’s $1-billion Low Carbon Economy Fund towards the agriculture and agri-food sectors. The province says that over the next four years, $81 million will go towards four […] Read more

Beef Cattle, Livestock

When the herd is a province away, you need reliable water

Beiseker rancher has solar waterer for 100 cow-calf pairs he grazes across the Saskatchewan border

By Alexis Stockford November 15, 2017

The phrase ‘remote watering’ takes on a new meaning on Duane Kent’s farm. Kent lives in Beiseker (northeast of Calgary) but also has a four-quarter pasture more than 500 kilometres away in Biggar, Sask. The site has no natural surface water and it would cost $30,000 to bring in electrical power. So he relies on […] Read more

Cattle grazer Steve Kenyon and wife Amber Kenyon have gone almost completely off-grid with a solar system purchased on the online classified site Kijiji.

News

The solar power math is starting to add up

A steep drop in solar prices is giving a new meaning to ‘green’ power —  and giving Alberta farmers a way to cut energy costs

By Jennifer Blair April 24, 2017

Cory Nelson isn’t what you might call a ‘tree hugger.’ But the Grassy Lake-area farmer is a businessman, and to him, solar energy just makes good financial sense. “We view it as an investment,” said Nelson, who grows a variety of crops under irrigation on his southern Alberta farm. “Our best math said it was […] Read more

News

On-farm solar funding program reopens

Up to $50,000 is available for producers who want to generate solar power on their operations

By Alberta Agriculture And Forestry Release July 28, 2016

Growing Forward 2’s On-Farm Solar Photovoltaics program has reopened and is accepting applications. There are a few revisions to the terms and conditions, said project engineer Kelly Lund. “We really encourage potential applicants to read through them to be sure they understand the changes to the program,” said Lund, noting full program information and forms […] Read more

Field monitoring systems to cast wider Canadian net

ICE weekly outlook: Canola values could fall further

Opposition MPs could delay CUSMA deal’s ratification

GFM Network News

Field monitoring systems to cast wider Canadian net

ICE weekly outlook: Canola values could fall further

Opposition MPs could delay CUSMA deal’s ratification

Tag Archives Photovoltaics

The sun still shines on solar energy in rural Alberta

The sun doesn’t always shine on every solar project

Province announces funding for ag energy projects

When the herd is a province away, you need reliable water

The solar power math is starting to add up

On-farm solar funding program reopens

GFM Podcasts

Myth-busting precision ag, farming less to make more, habitats for predators?, profiting with precision ag

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AGCanadaTV: In Case You Missed It – Your National Ag News Recap for the week ending December 6, 2019.

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