The Sollair Energy Project north of Airdrie is showing how solar power and agriculture can share the same land. The 75-megawatt solar farm has nearly 190,000 panels and produces enough electricity for about 23,000 homes. At the same time, sheep graze between the panels, hay is harvested, and beehives support pollination. The project’s owners hope to eventually grow higher-value crops on the property as well.
However, industry advocates say a project of this size would be much harder to build in Alberta today. The province paused approvals for new wind and solar projects for seven months beginning in 2023. It later introduced new restrictions around agricultural land and certain landscapes. A new $14 recycling fee for every solar panel could also add millions of dollars to the cost of a large project. The Alberta government says renewable development has not stalled and that the province currently has more electricity supply than it needs.
Recent numbers show that solar development has slowed. Only six projects have been approved so far in 2026, compared with 12 in 2025 and 24 in 2024. Industry representatives say many projects that came online after the pause had already been approved or financed under the previous rules. They warn that changing regulations and uncertainty around Alberta’s electricity market can make companies hesitant to invest.
Alberta is also preparing for a major overhaul of its electricity market, with changes expected by mid-2027. As other provinces increase renewable energy development, industry advocates worry investment could move elsewhere. For Sollair’s owners, the project demonstrates what is possible when renewable energy and agriculture are developed together. Whether another project like it will be built in Alberta remains uncertain.
Read the article here: https://calgaryherald.com/business/renewables-and-agriculture-collide-at-alberta-solar-project