As part of its Climate Leadership Plan, the Alberta government has announced it is investing more than C$5 million (approximately $3.6 million) to help municipalities and farmers go solar.
The Municipal Climate Change Action Center is receiving the money for a solar energy incentive program, the Alberta Municipal Solar Program. The program will provide rebates of up to C$0.75 per watt, to a maximum of C$300,000 per project, to municipalities for installing solar on municipal buildings, such as offices, fire halls, community centers and more. Applications will be accepted starting March 1.
Furthermore, a new solar program for agricultural producers, On-Farm Solar Management, will provide C$500,000 in provincial and federal funding toward solar energy systems on Alberta farms. The Alberta government says the program will help producers generate their own electricity and reduce their carbon emissions. The application window opened on Feb. 8.
“We must take action at all levels in combating climate change – federally, provincially and locally,” says Shannon Phillips, Alberta’s minister of environment and parks. “This investment will spur economic growth and help with the transition to cleaner sources of electricity, which will protect our health.”
Oneil Carlier, the province’s minister of agriculture and forestry, adds, “Agricultural producers embrace innovation and are good stewards of the land. The solar installation program will help increase farming efficiencies, reduce power bills and greenhouse-gas emissions, and add to Alberta’s power grid.”
