The developers of a proposed solar project near Stettler hosted an open house at the Stettler Community Hall on Aug. 7.
Running from 6-8:30 p.m., the session, organized by ABO Energy, allowed area residents to check out the footprint and scope of the proposed project as well as ask any questions they may have.
The project is a 25-megawatt commercial solar generating station with an additional 16-megawatt battery facility located two kilometres south of Stettler.
According to documentation available surrounding the project, the facility will be able to power up to 10,000 homes and displace over one million tonnes of carbon dioxide over the 25-year anticipated life of the project.
Stettler Solar and Storage, should it be approved, will be comprised of 72,000 separate photovoltaic panels capable of raising and lowering between 30 and 60 degrees depending on how low the sun is on the horizon.
According to one of the ABO Energy project people answering questions at the open house, the current plan is to use panels which are capable of generating power both top and bottom, which means they will still be able to generate energy through reflected solar energy off the ground should they get covered with snow.
Speaking of snow, it was also noted that with the angle range the panels can move and the amount of heat the panels passively generate, the majority of snow should melt or slide off the panels if raised to their full 60-degree elevation without the need for human involvement, ensuring steady energy generation during daytime hours.
ABO Wind is currently developing emergency response plans for the site, which will be shared with regional emergency services when complete.
According to updated glare projections for the project, some residents within the area may get up to a maximum of 18 minutes of glare from the site once completed, depending on the time of year.
Environmental studies for the project have been concluded and deemed the area a "low risk" for wildlife, and that information will be submitted along with the project application to the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC).
Stettler Solar and Storage by ABO Wind has not yet been submitted for approval, though the application is expected to go in later in 2024 and then begin working its way through the regulatory approvals process.
Should the project be deemed in the public interest and approved by the AUC, the developers hope to begin construction in the second quarter of 2025 with an operational date in the second quarter of 2026.
Around 15 people attended the open house during the first hour.
