While Starland County has built a bit of a reputation for innovation with solar power, some of its residents are also getting in the act.
Two area farmers in Starland have begun taking the steps to install 10-kilowatt solar projects and are on their way to making them a reality. Robert Sergeant and Darryl Raugust have both decided to take the plunge into solar power.
“I have been looking at it for a number of years and kind of just decided it was time to jump,” said Raugust. “We are not anywhere near ready to build it but it is getting closer.”
Matthew Kreke, project manager for Starland County says the County has approved their developmental applications. The next steps include acquiring permits from ATCO Electric to arrange for the hook-up under the micro-generation regulations and then install the set-up.
He said the County is assisting residents with the process and they are working with a private sector supplier for an easy to install and hook-up process.
“One of the big things we are trying to do is get some of the installation done by the farmers and we are hoping to use these projects as a demonstration for other people who might be interested in this type of technology,” said Kreke.
In previous years, the Growing Forward program for farmers had a program to provide some grant funds for farms looking at alternative energy, however it has been discontinued.
“These projects are being done without any government subsidies, which is pretty neat,” said Kreke, adding the county will assist farmers with paperwork, filing the applications and information gathering.
Kreke said there are too many variables to accurately gauge how much power these projects can produce or how long it would take for a farmer to realize his costs, however he is hopeful they would be able to break even in 15-20 years.
Raugust estimates that a 10-kilowatt array will help supply his farm with roughly 45-55 per cent of his power consumption needs.
“Every time you see some free energy out there, you would like to see if you can utilize it,” said Raugust. "When is the right time to jump in? I’ve never been able to figure that out…we just feel we would give it a try.”
Micro-generation in Alberta works through a net metering model. This means producers are able to sell power they produce back to the grid.
