Reading Time: 3 minutes 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
The sun still shines on solar energy in rural Alberta
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
Reading Time: 5 minutes 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
Government cash makes it a sunny day for solar power
Growing Forward 2 has put extra dollars on the table, but they’re expected to be snapped up in a hurry
Reading Time: 4 minutes If you want to get into solar, there’s now more government cash on the table — but you’ll have to hurry. The On-Farm Solar Photovoltaics Program now offers 75 cents per watt for projects of 100 kilowatts or less, and 56 cents per watt for installations that are between 100 and 150 watts. Both have […] Read more
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
Reading Time: 2 minutes 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
Innovative tour takes cyclists through the Battle River watershed
More than 70 per cent of the watershed is agricultural but it also has a variety of energy providers
Reading Time: 3 minutes An intrepid group of cyclists recently set out to explore the Battle River watershed on an innovative tour, spending three days travelling to small towns and hidden gems in the area. “The intention of the tour has been looking at all of our different energy options,” said Nathalie Stanley Olson, education and outreach co-ordinator with […] Read more
Can producers make money as solar power providers?
The province is currently consulting stakeholders on a framework that could help farmers do this
Reading Time: 2 minutes In many places, farmers are allowed to turn a profit by tying their solar power systems into the electrical grid. Albertans can export solar electricity to the grid — but there are currently no programs allowing system sizes larger than those that meet on-site electrical requirements. “Alberta’s micro-generation law was crafted for homeowners, business owners, […] Read more
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
Reading Time: 6 minutes 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
Community-based project lost in the shuffle over solar power
Government inaction jeopardizes proposed community solar farm that backers hoped would be a model for rural Alberta
Reading Time: 2 minutes It only takes a cursory glance at the headlines to recognize that a solar energy boom is coming to Alberta. Last year, the province set a target of having 30 per cent renewable energy by 2030 — but it remains to be seen whether farmers and rural communities will be able to ride this coming […] Read more
The lowdown on solar and wind leases
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Farmers’ Advocate Office has released a new publication titled Negotiating Renewable Energy Leases. “The FAO has been seeing an increase in the number of calls about negotiating wind and solar leases,” said spokesperson Jeana Schuurman. The publication covers some key differences between wind and solar leases and those for oil and gas. Since wind […] Read more
On-farm solar funding program reopens
Up to $50,000 is available for producers who want to generate solar power on their operations
Reading Time: 2 minutes 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
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