Celebrating the electrification of the largest solar installation in the MD of Bighorn!
Baymag, the Bow Valley Green Energy Co-op (BVGEC) and KCP Energy are thrilled to announce that together they have financed and installed the largest solar array in the MD of Bighorn at the Baymag plant in Exshaw.
On Thursday, June 22, 2023, Baymag, the Bow Valley Green Energy Co-op (BVCEC) and KCP Energy celebrated the official start-up of their joint project to install the largest solar array in the MD of Bighorn. The new Banff Kananaskis MLA, Sarah Elmeligi, and many other supporters joined Baymag to celebrate this momentous occasion. Thank you all!
The 291 kW photovoltaic system is located on the rooftop of one of the process buildings at Baymag's operation near Exshaw.
The team anticipates this installation will generate up to 300,000 KWH of renewable electricity per year and eliminate 240 Tonnes of CO2e (Greenhouse Gas Emissions) from Alberta's electricity grid annually. For context, this is equivalent to the average electricity consumption of 50-60 homes annually.
Baymag's Exshaw plant shows climate action leadership in the Bow Valley. This large-scale project will reduce its carbon footprint and generate carbon offsets, all while lessening reliance on non-renewable energy sources, supporting the green energy transition, and helping sustain a local community-owned and operated social enterprise (BVGEC).
Franz Spachtholz, CEO of Baymag, states, "This solar project is part of Baymag's larger sustainability engagement which is a key priority for our company and our stakeholders, especially our employees, community, and customers."
BVGEC will own and operate the system, and all profits from the sale of the energy will be channelled back into other local projects and installations.
Jeff Roberts, President of Bow Valley Green Energy Cooperative, shared, "This project is another important step on a scalable journey to reach our target 1 Megawatt of installed renewable energy capacity, funded by our community by the end of 2025."
KCP Energy completed the installation.
Geoff Domenico, President of KCP Energy, expressed, "This has been a special project to be a part of as it is truly a made in the Bow Valley solution. It's also encouraging to see large organizations such as Baymag demonstrate real climate leadership by being the driving force behind realizing this project".
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