Green Energy Futures:
Bob Sargent, farmer, county councillor and small businessman with his 10 kilowatt Ten K Solar system mounted on his farm-made stand. Ten K is a brand that incorporates reflectors into the solar system that the company claims can generate up to 44 per cent
Green Energy Futures:
Matthew Kreke is Project Manager with the Starland County Community Solar Program based in Morrin, Alberta. Working with farmers and suppliers the county has helped package 10 kilowatt solar systems that are being installed for as little as $27,000
Green Energy Futures:
The first 10k solar system was installed in Starland County in Morrin, Alberta to supply electricity to a pump house that supplies residents with water.
Green Energy Futures:
Solar system at water plant in Morrin, Alberta - 06
Green Energy Futures:
The pumphouse in Morrin, Alberta is powered by an adjacent 10 kilowatt solar PV system. Starland County has many remotely located pump houses that they use solar to power.
Green Energy Futures:
Bob Sargent on his farm in Starland County, Alberta poses with his 10 kilowatt Ten K solar system.
Green Energy Futures:
One way farmers and the County of Starland kept costs low was to mount solar systems on existing buildings such as this shed on Bob Sargent's farm.
Green Energy Futures:
Bob Sargent checks the production of his solar PV system on his farm in Morrin, Alberta.
Green Energy Futures:
Bob Sargent is a farmer, councillor and small businessman who was one of the first to get involved with Starland County's Community Solar program.
Green Energy Futures:
A farm solar system in Starland County, Alberta.
Green Energy Futures:
Bob Sargent's farm in Starland County, Alberta. The farmer added 10 kilowatts of solar to his farm to reduce and manage his electricity costs for the next 30 years.
Green Energy Futures:
Starland County began using solar in 2007 and today has solar in several towns and on its own administration building in Morrin, Alberta. The county used its expertise to work with farmers to dramatically reduce the cost and returns from installing solar.
Green Energy Futures:
As you pull into Morrin, Alberta you can see the solar PV that powers the pump house behind an old antique tractor.
Green Energy Futures:
Agriculture and nature resources are the main industries in Starland, County north of Drumheller, Alberta. Here are bison on a farm in the heart of the county.
Green Energy Futures:
On a cold, clear afternoon in February 2014 we saw five snowy owls watching over the flat prairie of Starland County while doing a story on the county's community solar program.