
C&B Alberta Solar Development ULC (CBA) on Dec. 23 sought permission from the Alberta Utilities Commission to construct and operate a photovoltaic (PV) solar facility called Suffield Solar in Cypress County.
The project is expected to have a gross electricity generation capacity of 24 MW (ac) and a net output of 22 MW (22 MVA) (ac) to the grid during peak periods. The annual electricity production is expected to be approximately 43 GWh.
The existing land use is agricultural for pasturing cattle. The project will require the installation of solar panels, inverter and transformer stations, switchgear, control equipment, and a laydown area. Solar panels will be aligned at an angle in rows and mounted on racking structures with spacing between each row to minimize shading effects.
Subject to the outcome of Alberta’s initiative to procure solar power for half of its government operations and receipt of regulatory approvals, the company said final design could commence as early as Q1 2017 with construction to commence as early as spring 2017 and completion as early as Q1 2018. In the event the project is a participant of Alberta’s Renewable Electricity Program instead, construction could commence in spring 2018 or later and could be completed Spring 2019 or later.
A dedicated website, www.Suffieldsolar.com, was created to provide information about the project.
This project company was created specifically to develop, own and operate a portfolio of solar projects in Alberta. It uses the expertise of Canadian Solar and BowMont Capital & Advisory. BowMont Capital & Advisory is a Calgary-based development and financial advisory firm founded in 2010. Canadian Solar is a vertically-integrated global solar power company founded in Ontario in 2001.