The Barnwell Solar Project is a 860 kWdc (750 kWac) community solar generation installation built in a dry pivot corner formerly occupied by an orphan well site, and located 10 km south west of the town of Taber.
We are honoured to have received Pilot Project funding from MCCAC's Municipal Community Generation Challenge for this project.
The site
In August 2020, RenuWell Energy Solutions, in partnership with the MD of Taber, Irrigation Canal Power Co-op Ltd., Canadian Solar, SkyFire Energy Inc., Iron & Earth and Medicine Hat College received funding from the Government of Alberta through the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre and Alberta Innovates, supporting deployment of two RenuWell Project pilots in the MD of Taber. One of the RenuWell Project pilots is the Barnwell Solar Project.
The Barnwell Solar Project, owned and operated by Irrigation Canal Power Co-op, was constructed in the field of a landowner that grows high quality garden specialty crops. The orphan well that was located in the area now occupied was abandoned a number of years ago however, the oil & gas lease area cannot be utilized for its original agricultural purposes, making it a prime candidate for a small-scale solar installation.
The installation
The site for the Barnwell Solar Project was selected in Fall 2020. By the end of 2021 all regulatory approvals, including interconnection, were in place. Unforeseen supply chain disruptions were experienced throughout the duration of the project due to COVID-19, however, as a result of strong project partner collaboration and funder support, the Barnwell Solar Project came online in March 2023. The opportunity for expansion is significant.
“By utilizing just 10% of abandoned wells across Alberta, we would be able to meet the land resource requirements for 6,200 MW of solar energy development. That is enough renewable energy to meet the government’s 2030 goals, and it can be accomplished without removing additional land from agriculture” - Keith Hirsche, RenuWell Energy Solutions Inc.
Iron & Earth collaborated with Medicine Hat College to develop the RenuWell Workforce Training Program, designed for oil & gas industry and Indigenous workers to learn the basics of solar before working on transforming the well sites. The inaugural training program took place in June 2022 and trainees were provided the opportunity to work hands on with experts from SkyFire Energy Inc. at the Barnwell Solar Project installation.
Conclusion
The Barnwell Solar Project demonstrates the successful conversion of a legacy oil and gas site for a small scale solar installation. By repurposing the previously disturbed land area for a new solar project, it's now being utilized for clean community energy generation rather than remaining unused. Time and costs were reduced for oil & gas site reclamation and closure was accelerated. Cost savings were achieved for the solar development and land area conserved through the use of the existing approach and other disturbed land area.
Credits
RenuWell Workforce Training Program Video
MD of Taber
Municipal Climate Change Action Centre
Alberta Innovates
Government of Alberta
IRRICAN Power
RenuWell Energy Solutions Inc.
Iron & Earth
Medicine Hat College
SkyFire Energy Inc.