Renewable energy providers were before Clearview council members June 1 asking for support for a ground-mount solar project in Edenvale.
Tom Bird and Scott Hossie of BluEarth Renewables, along with Mark Bell, of Petawawa Renewable Power, outlined a proposal to install a yet to be determined number of solar panels on 180 acres at the Edenvale Aerodrome property, owned by Milan Kroupa, and an adjacent parcel that would generate up to 29 megawatts of electricity.
The solar farm would be in addition to the airport, which would continue its operations.
Bird explained that the proposal is to be submitted to the provincial government’s Independent Electricity System Operator under the large renewable procurement (LRP) request for proposals, which is the next generation of the feed-in-tariff program, by Sept. 1. The contract would be awarded in December.
The project is in the early stages, so the exact configuration of the site plan has not been worked out.
Bird said a visual assessment from Highway 26 and the 12/13 Sideroad has determined that the project has low potential for visual impact, especially when vegetation is added as a buffer.
Clearview would receive additional tax revenue during the 20-plus year life of the project and it would create jobs during the construction period but exact numbers were not available.
Bird said if the township is on board, it can guide the development process and council support would make the proposal more competitive.
Hossie said if there is opposition, BluEarth Renewables wants to address concerns early on and work with Clearview to make the project something that it can support.
The project is also contingent on having the ability to connect to electrical distribution lines.
Should council throw its support behind the project, a public meeting date will be set.