The Provincial government has taken its plan to diversify Alberta’s energy economy to new heights. In fact, the new initiative is being touted from the roof-tops.

More than $5.5 million is being invested to build on programs designed to assist farms and municipalities with the installation of solar panels. The hope is to fund approximately 160 projects, and see a reduction in carbon emissions of up to 8,400 tonnes over 25 years.

The Plan to Diversify Alberta’s Energy Economy Starts at Home (And on The Range)

Municipalities can apply to the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre’s Alberta Municipal Solar Program (AMSP) to qualify for financial rebates for installing solar photovoltaic systems on their facilities and/or land.

The program will expand on the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association, which has already facilitated the installation of solar panels at six Edmonton community leagues—a move that has reduced their yearly greenhouse gas emissions by 55 tonnes.

Another great success story comes from the Town of Devon. A model community developed after a local discovery of oil in 1947, Devon knows the energy sector. Wanting to stick with their roots and remain an energy community, Mayor Stephen Lindop says their focus will be

“moving to green instead of oil and gas.”

Devon’s had so much success with the installation of solar panels on their community centre, the Mayor would like to keep going with their solar panel initiative, and install them on other town buildings. Talk about diversifying an energy economy!

We dove deeper into Devon’s quest to be a green energy leader in our March 15 article. You can find it here.

Similar to the AMSP program for municipalities, Alberta farmers can apply for Provincial and Federal funding for the installation of solar energy systems through the On-Farm Solar Management Program.

The pilot program for the agricultural solar program consisted of 61 projects and saw a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 360 tonnes, with the added bonus of close to 500 kW of capacity being added to Alberta’s electricity grid.

How Do Solar Panels Help to Diversify an Energy Economy?

  •   Building up Alberta’s green energy sector will support jobs and growth in the supply chain of renewable energy, while creating jobs in both the project design and construction industries.
  •   Municipalities will have an opportunity to take the lead on environmental issues by setting an example, and involving the public at a local level.
  •   It broadens the depth of farming. Farms will produce electricity as well as food; something Sturgeon County dairy farmer John Bocock has been doing since 2010. In some cases, excess or unused electricity can even be added to Alberta’s power grid.
  •   The door opens for collaborative work between all levels of government, from greening the electrical grid to many other energy initiatives.
  •   There’s hope for a domino affect. As programs like AMSP’s and On-Farm Solar succeed, the basic principles could trickle into other green energy sectors, such as wind, geothermal and biofuel technology.

As Environment Minister Shannon Phillips said,

“This is just the beginning.”

About The Author

John Keirstead
John Keirstead
Serial Entrepreneur, Technologist and Inventor my objective is to develop useful products that have a net positive effect in the lives of those that use them and the environment that we live in. CEO of Mission LED Lighting Company Ltd.
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