County of Newell seeking to install new solar array

Posted on May 21, 2026 by Vauxhall Advance

Southern Alberta Newspapers

The County of Newell has submitted a request for proposals from contractors for design and installation of a grid-connected solar photovoltaic system array to be built near its administration and shop facility complex.

The County says the project will help reduce overall operational costs, lower greenhouse gas emissions and that it aligns with the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre funding program requirements.

The array will be installed at 183037 Range Road 145, and the County is seeking to begin construction at the end of June and have the project complete by the end of 2026.

The county has submitted an RFP for qualified contractors that are members of the Solar Alberta or the Canadian Renewable Energy Association.

On May 21, the county will host an RFP submission site meeting at 2 p.m. that will include a walk-around of the proposed location, electrical rooms inside the building and the location of the transformer where the bidirectional metre will be installed.

The county is becoming a hub for solar energy in Alberta as it continues to invest in the renewable energy source.

During prime conditions the county is able to produce 31 MW at its array in Brooks operated by Elemental Energy as well as close to 20 MW that will be produced near Duchess after it secured $48 million in funding in 2025.

The region has also attracted a large investment from the online retail giant Amazon to build an 80 MW solar project near Bassano, the largest known solar power purchase agreement in Canada.