(Supplied by Village of Carmangay)

By David Opinko

Carmangay becomes net-zero thanks to new solar project

Dec 7, 2020 | 11:56 AM

CARMANGAY, AB – Another small Southern Alberta town has embraced solar power and has achieved net-zero status for its municipal infrastructure.

In partnership with the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre (MCCAC), the federal gas tax fund, and the Alberta Municipal Sustainability Initiative, the Village of Carmangay has completed its new solar energy project.

384 solar panels have been installed, which are expected to generate 145.9 kW of DC power, or 213,765 kilowatt-hours per year. The energy generated from the solar panels will go back into the electrical grid.

“The green energy produced, more than offsets all of the electricity currently used by the Village for its buildings and infrastructure,” reads a press release from the Village of Carmangay.

The Village says this will provide power for an upcoming electric vehicle charging station that will be free of charge once completed.

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The total cost of the project was $380,000, which came from the partners listed towards the top of this article.

“Carmangay is fortunate to be able to leverage an MCCAC grant to make our Village greener and a viable destination for new business,” says Mayor Stacey Hovde.

It was built by Lethbridge-based 3B Energy

“The Carmangay project is a fantastic example demonstrating how, regardless of size, communities can leverage the power of the sun to reduce operating costs and greenhouse gas emissions,” says Trine Innes, Executive Director of MCCAC. “The Action Centre is proud to support projects in small and large communities. We look forward to seeing the savings come to fruition.”

According to the local government, the system is expected to produce an annual savings of $13,403 based on 2019 electricity prices.

Another Southern Alberta community who recently became net-zero is Raymond.

READ MORE: With installation of solar carport, Raymond claims it’s officially “net-zero”

The Village of Carmangay, whose population was 242 in the 2016 census, is approximately 60 km north of Lethbridge.