Canadian Solar wins PPAs for 94 MWp in Alberta

Canadian Solar has won three solar power contracts with Alberta's Ministry of Infrastructure, for a total of 94 MWp of solar power system in southeast Alberta, with an average contracted PPA price of 48.05 Canadian dollars per MWh. When in operation, these solar plants will provide 55% of the electricity needs for Alberta provincial government. This is likely the largest public sector solar energy procurement contract in Canada in 2019.

In the fall of 2018, Canadian Solar entered into a 50% equity partnership with Conklin Métis Local 193 on the three projects. The Conklin Métis are an indigenous community based in the rural hamlet of Conklin, part of the Athabasca Oil Sands region in eastern Alberta.

The three projects in the contracts are the Jenner, Tilley, and Hays solar projects. Once completed in early 2021, these solar plants are expected to generate enough power for more than 20,000 homes. During the construction of the three solar projects, an estimated 270 jobs will be created in Alberta.

All three projects are expected to use bifacial solar panels, which generate up to 20% more energy than standard solar modules due to their ability to produce electricity from both their front and back sides. These modules are particularly well-suited to snowy climates like Alberta in the winter, as snow will increase reflection of sunlight.