‘We aren’t anti-solar': Some citizens in Alberta hamlet of Caroline concerned about approval of solar farm

A group says more than 100 members of the small community of Caroline want the Alberta Utilities Commission to reconsider a solar farm.

Several members of the small Alberta community of Caroline are doing their best to change the plans for a recently approved solar farm, citing concerns about zoning, upkeep and safety.

PACE Bang Energy is set to build a 14.67 megawatt solar power plant in Caroline to feed Alberta’s power grid, with a footprint of 80 acres, about the same size as the hamlet.

“It’s quite upsetting.” said Caroline resident Shauna Fleshman who lives in one of the houses across the street from the site where thousands of solar panels are slated to go up.

The Alberta Utilities Commission approved the project on February 28.

A group of concerned citizens says more than 100 adults in Caroline’s population of 500 signed a petition against the project and want the AUC to reconsider.

“We aren’t anti-solar,” said Fleshman.

“We support solar and alternative energy,” Fleishman said. “However it’s just too close (to us). It’s not a safe location.”

The project is set to be built on land designated for residential and agriculture.

Critics argue that contradicts the province’s recent policy to protect farmland and preserve Alberta’s rural views.

“Putting solar panels across 80 acres of agriculture land -- I find it’s a bit of a waste,” said Don Miller, whose land is directly next to the solar farm site.

“Pace, I think they’re based in Germany or somewhere in Europe,” he said. “I’d rather see something Canadian happen -- maybe feed Canadians, maybe feed cattle.”

Fire concerns

The concerned residents also worry about the risk of a commercial fire near homes in a community with only a volunteer fire department.

“We don’t have the capacity to support an industrial solar fire,” said Fleshman, saying the Jasper wildfire has people in the area very tuned in to these concerns.

“It’s a scary reality for everyone.”

Caroline was recently amalgamated with Clearwater County, which has been getting a lot of emails about the project.

“I think the majority were like ‘I’m ok with solar, just move it,‘” said Reeve Michelle Swanson. “They just didn’t want it within the proximity of where they were living.”

Concerned citizens also see possible parallels with orphan oil wells sites and wonder who would be responsible for the cleanup if the solar company leaves.

“In 20 years it definitely wouldn’t be a concern for me but it would be a concern for my grandchildren,” said Miller.

He and his family ride horses and his four-by-four through his yard every day along the fence where the solar farm would be built.

Former mayor

Pace says the now-former mayor of Caroline started the conversation with them in 2019.

The idea was paused during the UCP government’s renewable projects moratorium, and when AUC placed the Pace proceeding into abeyance.

An AUC hearing took place in November 2024.

Pace says the project could be built in 2026 and would add tax revenue.

“Smaller distributed energy can provide significant economic benefits to these small communities,” said Claude Mindorff with Pace Canada.

Several residents say the tax revenue number they have heard varies but most recently is around $100,00.00.

With what these residents feel they are giving up, it doesn’t add up for them

“We don’t want this project,” said Fleshman.

The AUC says it received a request to review their decision on March 14 by a group of Albertans concerned about several solar farm projects in rural Alberta.

Caroline’s group of concerned citizens said it will request a review too.

Clearwater County is set to decide at its March 25 council meeting whether it may request a review as well.

The AUC says it “will determine next steps in due course.”