Wheatcrest Solar Facility

Project History

With decades of experience, we have a team of internal experts to take projects from conception and make them a reality. Our team works in close consultation with government agencies and key stakeholders to site, build and operate our facilities responsibly. To learn more about our approach to project development, click here.

Development work first began on the Wheatcrest Solar Project in 2018, and included several years of environmental studies in the area, including biophysical and wetland evaluations, and consulting with local landowners.

In April 2021, a project application was submitted to the Alberta Utilities Commission (Proceeding 26496). The application included an environmental evaluation, participant involvement program, noise impact assessment, solar glare assessment, and summarized our overall approach to construct and operate the Project responsibly. In July 2021, the AUC approved the project and a permit was issued. BluEarth also applied for a development permit with the MD of Taber and this approval was received in March 2022. The Project progressed through the interconnection process, and the Facility Application for the Project transmission line was filed with the AUC in July 2022.

In June 2022, we announced that BluEarth signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) for the project with the City of Edmonton. With this PPA, the City will purchase a portion of the power generated from the project to support their goal of being 100% renewably powered. Construction subsequently began on the Wheatcrest Solar Project in September 2022, and was completed in 2024.

Project Infrastructure

The Wheatcrest Solar Facility included the construction of bi-facial solar photovoltaic panels, trackers, panel racking systems, internal access roads, cabling, electrical inverters and other related electrical equipment. The project equipment is contained within two quarter sections of land.