Eagle Butte eligible for solar panel program

Prairie Rose School Division says it will have to enter the discussion table with the province before a decision is made about solar panels.

The provincial government announced Wednesday it would be making $9 million in funding available, allowing 36 school projects across the province in the design or tender phase to install solar panels on their school. Eagle Butte High School, currently in the early stages of its modernization plan, was listed as one of the eligible schools.

“We do look forward to having that conversation with Alberta Education to learn more about the project,” said Angela Baron, PRSD communications co-ordinator.

Eagle Butte High School recently pushed back the completion date for modernization to September 2018.

If the school does decide to install solar panels, it would be the first in PRSD to do so.

“In many ways, it makes sense to generate solar power in an area that’s known for hours of sunlight,” said Baron. “A full review of how that would impact Eagle Butte would be required ... that would mean we’d have to consult with the school administrator, the board and of course the project architect.”

Baron adds the education portion of the project holds interest. The province stated it will also provide funds to enable schools installing solar systems to add an educational component to the installation and operation.

Alberta Education said it will be contacting school authorities around the province to discuss modifying the scope of their projects to incorporate the panels.

Costs would vary by project, but estimates average approximately $250,000 to $750,000 per school for a solar panel array, depending on the size of school, size of array installed and local site conditions.

While not listed on Wednesday’s announcement, Dr. Ken Sauer School in Ranchlands and Saint John Paul II School in Southlands will both have solar panels once completed.

Greg MacPherson, secretary/treasurer with Medicine Hat Catholic Board, said solar panels were put in place when the school was in its design phase.

“There were discussions for quite a while in the process,” he said.

MacPherson says the solar panels on the school will be able to generate 88,000 kilowatt hours per year, or approximately one-third of the need for the facility.

“When we get the keys to open the school, solar panels will be functioning, and they’ll be able to reduce our dependence on carbon-based fuel,” he said.

Jerry Labossiere, SD76 secretary/treasurer, says solar panels were in the design for the Dr. Ken Sauer School since its inception, and the board covered the cost through funding reserves.

“Since then, the province has revisited their position on solar panels ... and they made a verbal commitment to support us in the installation of those panels,” he said.

Both schools are expected to open in September 2017.