Where it all began …  

In 2019, the Biosphere Institute undertook a feasibility study into opportunities for community generation projects within Canmore. We worked with a local solar company, KCP Energy, to identify and assess residential, commercial, and industrial rooftops that would be suitable for solar panel installation in Canmore. We also assessed several properties in the neighbouring Municipal District of Bighorn. We estimated the number of panels possible per property, how much electricity could be generated, what it might cost, and how the panels would connect to Alberta’s electricity grid.

We simultaneously reached out to property owners to understand their interest in renting out their rooftops or other space for solar panel installation. We began working with the Alberta Community and Co-operative Association to understand how to create a successful, local renewable energy generation cooperative to manage a community solar installation.

In February 2020, we invited community members to an open house to describe the results of the feasibility study. The entire event was recorded and is available for viewing on our YouTube channel by clicking the button below.

This project was supported by grants from the following organizations: