Page 6 - Big Lakes County

“Sustainability is a broad goal, but it includes being Association (AUMA), and Rural Municipalities of

mindful of the resources we use—both physical and Alberta (RMA). The County was able to access
financial,” says Matthews. “For example, the solar over 41 per cent of the money required through the

project will offset our electricity use for the office Alberta Municipal Solar Program, offered through

and the Public Works Shop for the next 30 years the MCCAC. Other grant funding was provided
and will even turn a profit. Looking at ways to be through the Federal Gas Tax fund.

more efficient and improve for our residents is the
overall goal.” The main objective of the solar farm is to reduce the

cost of the direct energy used by the County. The
COUNTY SHOP SOLAR PROJECT solar farm produces the electricity used by the shop

and office, and on sunny days the surplus electricity

Matthews is refereeing to the County Shop Solar is sold back into the grid. Over time the credits that
Project. This project was funded in part by the Big Lakes County will receive for selling electricity

Municipal Climate Change Action Centre (MCCAC), back to the grid will more than pay for the cost of

a partnership of the Alberta Urban Municipalities the panels themselves.

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