Ottawa invests $15.3M in Alberta advanced solar project

The federal government is contributing $15.3 million over two years to a $49-million advanced solar energy project in southeastern Alberta. Amarjeet Sohi, minister of Natural Resources Canada, announced the funding from the Emerging Renewable Power Program for the 23-megawatt Suffield Solar Project. Developed and owned by Ontario-headquartered Canadian Solar and its subsidiary, Suffield Solar LP, the project will employ approximately 250 people during construction and power about 7,400 households annually. The solar farm will use a novel technology to capture energy from both sides of solar panels that track the sun’s daily trajectory, which increases the efficiency of energy generation by 10% to 15%, despite snow cover. The Emerging Renewable Power Program provides up to $200 million to expand the provinces’ and territories’ portfolio of commercially viable renewable energy sources. The program is part of the Government of Canada’s more than $180-billion Investing in Canada infrastructure plan.