Starland County has been at the forefront of utilizing solar electric generation technology, and want to get residents in the equation.
    Over the past few years Starland has employed solar technology at its water stations to great success. Most recently they installed solar panels on the top of its newly renovated county offices. Starland CAO Ross Rawlusyk stated the array has been up and running for about six weeks and is performing beyond expectations.
 Recently the Alberta government introduced a program that would assist rural residents in employing solar technology to help meet their power needs. The county did a presentation at the Delia C-2000 meeting on March 12.
    “There is some funding available for on-farm solar development under a program called Growing Forward. The province’s grant is up to $19,500 for on-farm solar installation,” said Rawlusyk. “What we are trying to do is work with people to try and put together a “farm package.” A consistent 10 kilowatt ground mount system that can be installed on any farm universally.”
     He said if there is interest from residents, they may be able to facilitate purchasing a number of these units, which would drive down the costs per resident.
    The technology has seen great leaps and bounds in the last few years. Rawlusyk says they are looking at a new technology called reflectorized systems.
    “You can actually get more energy output if you capture the sun directly and the reflection. So the panels are sort of teepee shaped so the sun hits the face and is reflected to the other side,” said Rawlusyk. “A 10 kilowatt system rates out to a 14 kilowatt system.”
    He adds a 10 kilowatt system could adequately provide an average farm with power.
    He said a system like this could cost about $50,000 to $58,000 to install. He states the County is looking at offering support along with the Alberta Government incentive.
    "About $19,500 would be eligible under the program the province has. The one thing we are looking at with council and the program, is seeing if Starland can contribute into that program as well. We are hoping to get it so it is a 50/50 overall matching grant. We don’t have it all approved, but as a staff, are trying to work towards it,” said Rawlusyk.
    He adds they have staff who work closely with Growing Forward and their role is to help farmers through the application process, and could get involved in helping residents.
    Rawlusk said it appears there is interest in alternative power.
    “We have our economic development plan together now and one of our initiatives is to try to encourage on-farm solar development within the county. We have had a lot of interest from farmers on alternative energy, trying to help with their long term energy bills,” said Rawlusyk. “We are looking at discussing with groups like ENMAX, maybe we can do something similar to the house program they have in Calgary, on a farm.”
    “I think there is interest out there and we are trying to put together a program that will help them on the financial front as well as the application and paperwork front.”

Residents will know in the very near future the status of the fundraising efforts of the Badlands Community Facility.
    The Badlands Community Facility opened last week, and resident have been streaming in to check out what the new facility has to offer. Groups and organizations have also been lining up to book dates for meetings and conferences.
    During the construction, plans were to reveal the results of the fundraising drive when the facility opened. Chair of the Fundraising Committee, Jeff Hall, says they are planning an event, tentatively scheduled for May, to update the community and launch its local campaign.
    “We are trying to come up with an event to unveil that (fundraising effort) and launch into the more community focus aspect of the campaign,” said Hall.
    He said now that the facility is open and there is a positive buzz it should bolster its progress, and he is happy with the fundraising project thus far.
    “As we enter the public phase we will be focusing on the $5,000 to $10,000 range,” said Hall, adding they are planning the logistics of this campaign.
    “We have a few things to get the final touches to launch into this campaign,” said Hall.