The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Federal Minister of Natural Resources announced support from the Emerging Renewable Power Program for the Suffield Solar Project. The $50 million project developed by Canadian Solar Solutions Inc. and located near Suffield, in Southern Alberta will be the first in Canada to use bi-facial solar photovoltaics at a large-scale. This emerging technology captures solar energy from both the top and the bottom sides of the solar module while tracking the sun through the sky from sun-rise to sun-set.

"It is essential that Canada's energy and electricity sectors continue to be in the leading pack globally for innovation," remarked John Gorman, President & CEO of the Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA). "That includes our renewable and non-renewable energy resource sectors. Alberta is Canada's energy capital for oil and gas. Now solar energy is becoming a new source of jobs and investment for the province."

When complete, the Suffield Solar Project will generate 23 MW, which will power approximately 7,400 homes each year, and employ around 250 people during the construction period. 

The bi-facial solar photovoltaic technology will increase efficiency of energy generation by 10 to 15 per cent and improves on grid-reliability in the winter months, despite snow cover. 

"Bi-facial photovoltaic technology is a great fit for Southern Alberta," says Patrick Bateman, Director of Policy and Market Development at CanSIA. "In Summer, the prairies receive more hours of sunlight than Miami. In Winter, snow cover on the ground acts as a mirror and the energy in the reflected light is captured by this innovative technology." 

To read more about the Emerging Renewable Power Program, click here. 

Canadian Solar Industries Association | www.cansia.ca