Proposed solar farm project heard by M.D.
By Lawrence Gleason, Local Press Writer
A massive solar project proposed for construction 10 kilometres north-east of Claresholm, would be comprised of 470,000 solar panels, each two metres by 1.2 metres in size and rated at 430 watts per panel, generating enough electricity to power 33,000 typical Alberta homes.
The Claresholm Solar proposal came before the Municipal District of Willow Creek for the first time Dec. 20, the public gallery filled with proponents and opponents who had their say before M.D. councillors.
The M.D. council decided not to vote first reading on the matter but hold off any initial vote until January as they read all provided material to help them come to a decision.
The issue before the M.D. is a land re-zoning application of eight quarter-sections for a total of 1,261.2 acres, from Rural General to Rural Industrial. The solar farm would be built on 880 acres, on the north side of Secondary Highway 520 and Range Road 130.
If the re-zoning is approved, a development application would then be expected to proceed.
The construction of the project, if approved, would take 18 months, employing up to 300 people, then employing three or four employees from that point with the site monitored locally and remotely.
One of the owners of Claresholm Solar, Philipp Andres told councillors, “I’ve lived in the same agricultural community for over 30 years. I’m a farmer. I know the agricultural life. I’ve been part of it all my life. I look at wind and solar energy as a complementary use to agriculture.”
Andres said green energy allows farmers to have a method where money can “leave the city and come back to the farm.”
Andres told those concerned about the project, “We will do whatever it takes to make this right by you.”
The closest people to the solar farm, from perimeter fence to residence wall, are Shirley Stamey, 63 metres away, Dustin and Carmen Sipolla, 132 metres away, Kelsey Kniffen 89 metres, Jill Salky 167 metres, Russell and Sierra Stuart Stewart, 710 metres, and Blanca Erin, 719 metres.
Philipp Andres’ son, Daniel Andres, a farmer in Saskatchewan, explained the site near Claresholm was chosen as it was in a land area of saline soil and lower productivity, and close to a major electrical transmission line. The land is owned by the Granum Hutterian Brethren Colony.
The solar panels would be mounted on a 25 to 32 degree angle from horizontal on aluminum steel racking about one metre above ground at the lowest point to 3.3 metres above ground at the high point, allowing sheep to graze beneath.
Stakeholder concerns were provided by letter, some who would be neighbours to the project reading their own provided letters to M.D. councillors.
One stakeholder called it a good opportunity for Claresholm and the M.D. of Willow Creek, saying, “there are undeniable benefits.”
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