This solar project provides significant advantages to our region through three primary pillars:
All energy projects in Alberta must complete a Noise Impact Assessment and follow Alberta Utilities Commission Rule 012: Noise Control. This rule says that noise at night cannot be louder than 40 dBA—about the same as a quiet library. For comparison, a peaceful rural night usually has 30–40 dBA of natural sounds like wind or wildlife.
Here’s what you should know about solar project noise:
In short: solar and battery projects are very quiet and designed to meet strict noise standards.
We conduct thorough environmental assessments and design our projects to minimize impacts on wildlife and natural habitats, such as wetlands and native prairie. Additionally, we implement biodiversity enhancements and other co-use projects wherever possible.
To view our full suite of environmental assessments for a specific project please contact our team.
Solar projects are very different from oil and gas well decommissioning. Because sunlight is an unlimited resource, solar facilities can either be upgraded (repowered) with new equipment for continued energy generation or will be fully decommissioned and returned to farmland with minimal disturbance.
Panels are typically mounted on screw piles rather than concrete footings, making removal straightforward and reducing soil impact. Even after 40 years, panels are expected to operate at about 80% of their original output and can often be repurposed or sold. Similarly, Battery Energy Storage Systems are a temporary land use and can be completely removed and recycled or reused at the end of the project life.
To protect landowners and municipalities, up front financial bonds are put in place at the start of operations to ensure that funds are available to support reclamation and decommissioning obligations —so communities are never left with the burden.
Our approach ensures flexibility, environmental responsibility, and long-term security for both landowners and local communities.
Community engagement is central to our development process. We actively consult with residents, property owners, indigenous, and community groups throughout the development process. We review feedback, and where possible, use it to inform project design and planning. Please reach out to us with any questions.
Solar panels generate electricity when there is sunlight. When battery storage is included, it can store energy for use at night or during cloudy periods. The panels are designed to adjust their position during the day to capture as much sunlight as possible. They are also designed to help shed snow, which helps maintain performance during the winter. Overall, solar works best as part of the broader energy system, to improve grid stability and diversify power sources.
The Alberta Utilities Commission requires all proposed solar projects to complete a glint and glare assessment to ensure safety and comfort for the community. Glint and glare studies review the potential for reflected light along roadways, at intersections, airports, and at potentially affected residences. Each study location is evaluated for type of glare, duration of glare, and when glare may be visible. Solar panels are specifically designed with anti-reflective coatings that significantly reduce glare. If any glare is identified during the assessment, Starlight and CanWest will take steps to address it through proven mitigation measures, such as adjusting panel angles or adding screening, to ensure safety and comfort for the community.
We understand that nearby residents may have questions about how solar projects might look from their property and the surrounding area.
If you are concerned about your view, please contact our team. We can provide visual renderings to show what the project could look like from selected locations. Our goal is to fit the project into the local area as respectfully as possible.
Some nearby residents may see parts of the project from their property. Where appropriate, we may offer options such as tree screening to help reduce direct views of the project.
We design solar projects to support ongoing agricultural use and biodiversity, wherever possible. Our site planning process carefully considers soil quality, agricultural potential, environmental setbacks, and local wildlife habitats, including those for raptors and migratory birds.
Based on current designs, we are targeting a significant portion of the land for agrivoltaics, grazing, forage production, or other biodiversity measures.
If you are a local contractor or service provider, we encourage you to reach out to us. We are gathering local business contacts so that, when the project is ready to build, relevant providers can be contacted to participate in future tendering opportunities.
The project is expected to create opportunities for local contractors and service providers, during construction and ongoing operations.
Some job opportunities are:
Solar projects require approval from the Alberta Utilities Commission before construction can proceed. The AUC reviews power plant applications under Rule 007, which sets out requirements for facility applications, including technical, environmental, consultation, noise, reclamation, and other information. Municipal development and/or construction permits are also required in the municipalities that we operate.
Construction will temporarily increase traffic in the project area, including deliveries of equipment, materials, and worker vehicles. Before construction, the project will develop a construction management plan addressing traffic routing, road use, dust control, hours of work, safety procedures, and communication with nearby residents. All construction activities will operate within municipal and provincial regulations.
A comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan is required for the project design. Solar panels are elevated above the ground and generally do not create large impervious surfaces in the same way as buildings or pavement. The project will be designed to manage runoff, protect wetlands and water bodies, and reduce erosion during construction and operations.
Solar panels are solid-state electrical equipment designed for long-term outdoor use. They are sealed and do not release materials during operation. At the end of their useful life, panels can be reused, repurposed, recycled, or disposed of in accordance with regulatory requirements.
We understand that property value is an important concern for nearby residents and landowners.
Property valuation is influenced by a wide range of site-specific factors, and because solar energy is a relatively new land use in some areas, global studies on the subject have shown varying results. While some research indicates neutral or even positive effects on value, we recognize that residents often have concerns about potential valuation impacts on residential properties.
No two solar projects are the same, so we take a site-specific approach to ensure each development fits its unique surroundings. By combining careful site design, such as visual screening and environmental setbacks, we are committed to being a responsible neighbour. Our goal is to provide a clear and lasting advantage to the local community through proactive measures.
If ownership changes in the future, the project approvals, land agreements, regulatory commitments, and reclamation obligations continue to apply to the new project owner. Any transfer is managed in accordance with contractual and regulatory requirements.
A Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is a collection of ground-mounted battery storage containers that allow for the storage of electricity. BESS solutions help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and produce no greenhouse gases or pollution from their normal operation. Power generated by renewable sources can be stored within the BESS then released onto the grid when optimal via the local electricity cables.
There has been increased attention on fire risk in battery storage systems in recent years. While the risk of fire is very low, it is taken seriously in the design and operation of these systems. Many of the incidents reported publicly involved older systems or designs without current safety standards. Safety systems and emergency response plans are developed in coordination with local fire services. These systems are designed with multiple layers of protection to prevent and manage potential issues.
The battery units are sealed systems designed to prevent any materials from entering the ground. They do not contain liquid components that could leak into the soil.
The systems are installed with protective measures in place and are monitored and maintained to ensure they continue to operate safely over time.
Yes. As more renewables (such as wind and solar) are added to Alberta’s electricity grid, systems need to be installed to provide energy when the wind is not blowing, and the sun is not shining. BESS charge during times of excess power generation, then discharge (provide electricity to the grid) during times of low generation.
BESS also assists in regulating the frequency and fluctuations that occur naturally in all electrical grids.
Utility scale solar projects are complex and evolve through many development stages. We are happy to share detailed information from the numerous studies these projects require. Providing this level of data is beyond what is practical for a website. Please reach out to our team and we will be happy to provide you detailed project specific information as we have it.
