FLEXRACK by Qcells and Alltrade Industrial Contractors, a Canadian renewable EPC and construction services company, have partnered on a 182 MW portfolio of solar projects in Canada.
The fixed tilt, bifacial solar panel portfolio consists of an 81 MWp behind-the-meter solar project and a 101 MWp project with a flow battery energy storage system in Scotford and Aldersyde, Alberta, respectively.
The projects, currently under construction, have not only provided many local jobs but will also help fossil fuel companies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The projects are expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2023.
The 101 MW Saddlebrook project will be owned and operated by one of North America's energy infrastructure companies, with operations in the natural gas, oil, and power industries. The project will be constructed by Alltrade in a joint venture partnership with SkyFire Energy.
The project is partially supported by $10 million in funding from Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA), through their BEST Challenge, to support the development of a hybrid solar generation facility combined with a flow battery energy storage system.
The electricity produced by the project will be utilized by the Alberta Interconnected Electric System (AIES) through a new 138 kV substation located on the project lands once operational. The project is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 73,600 tons of CO2 annually, equivalent to removing about 16,000 cars from the roads.
The 81 MW Scotford project will power a global oil producer's refinery complex and support the company in achieving its goal of net zero emissions by 2050. The project is expected to deliver about $200,000 a year on a levelized basis to the Strathcona County local government and school system, once operational.
"With ambitious provincial and federal renewable energy targets, a favorable regulatory environment, and significant solar resources, we are looking forward to deploying our cold weather expertise and time-tested technology in many more solar projects to come throughout Canada," said Jay Johnson, Head of Sales and Marketing at FLEXRACK by Qcells.
