Examining AEPA's Policy on Solar Project Siting Within Municipal Boundaries

Based on a thorough review of the provided search results, there is no clear evidence to confirm that "Siting of a solar project within a municipal boundary, like the Village of Caroline, is encouraged by AEPA (Alberta Environment and Protected Areas)." While the search results contain significant information about solar projects in Alberta, including the Caroline Solar Project, they do not substantiate that AEPA has a policy or preference for siting projects within municipal boundaries.

The search results show that PACE Bang Energy LP (formerly PACE Canada LP) is developing a solar project within the Village of Caroline's boundaries. According to result16, "Considering the projects location within an Urban Boundary and the related legislation, the project received a confirmation letter from Alberta Environment & Parks (AEP) after a desktop study concluded no environmental impacts." Similarly, in result1, there is mention that "the project is located within an urban area and received a waiver letter from... Alberta environment and protected areas or AA stating that a renewable referral report is not required under the wildlife directive for Alberta solar energy projects."

While these statements indicate that the Caroline project received certain regulatory exemptions due to its urban location, they do not establish that AEPA actively encourages such siting as a general policy position.

In fact, examining other solar projects mentioned in the search results reveals a different pattern:

The Oyen 2 Solar Project is "located on freehold land in the Special Area No. 3" approximately "14.5km north west of the Town of Oyen"1.

The Sunrise Solar Project in Pincher Creek actually made design changes that "will increase the distance between the project and the municipal boundary while reducing the visual impact from the Town of Pincher Creek"7.

The Little Smoky 5 Solar Project includes "approximately 158.9 acres of land located approximately 3.5 km northeast of the hamlet of Little Smoky"8.

The Hand Hills Hybrid Project is "located approximately 10 km southeast of the village of Delia, Alberta and 23 km southwest of the town of Hanna"15.

These examples demonstrate that many solar projects in Alberta are being developed outside municipal boundaries rather than within them.

Recent regulatory changes appear to focus more on restrictions than encouragement for solar project siting. Result10 notes that "renewable energy developments will no longer be permitted on Class 1 and 2 lands unless the proponent can demonstrate that crops and/or livestock can coexist with the renewable generation project." Result6 mentions that Alberta has released "a map defining which parts of the province are to be off-limits to wind and solar power." These developments suggest a regulatory environment that is becoming more restrictive rather than encouraging particular locations for solar development.

Conclusion

While the Caroline Solar Project is indeed being developed within municipal boundaries and received certain regulatory accommodations due to this location, the available evidence does not support the claim that AEPA generally encourages siting solar projects within municipal boundaries. Rather, the regulatory framework appears to focus on environmental impact considerations, land classification, and other factors when evaluating solar project sites.

Citations:

1. https://media.auc.ab.ca/prd-wp-uploads/Shared%20Documents/Projects/29819-Oyen2.pdf
2. https://bassano.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2.4-Example-of-EPP.pdf
3. https://procoazrbolsast1.blob.core.windows.net/media/yi2kjpcl/mailout-brochure.pdf
4. https://www.reddeeradvocate.com/home/auc-hearing-on-caroline-solar-project-set-for-november-7510930
5. https://solaralberta.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Solar-Siting-Recommendations.pdf
6. https://edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/alberta-releases-map-for-renewable-power-projects
7. https://evolugen.com/facilities/sunrise-solar-project/
8. https://universalkraft.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/LS5-Newsletter-20240801.pdf
9. https://www.reddeeradvocate.com/news/solar-energy-project-planned-for-caroline-6823007
10. https://www.abmunis.ca/news/casual-legal-new-rules-renewable-energy
11. https://procoazrbolsast1.blob.core.windows.net/media/qgdpjnyu/open-house-panels-26jun2024.pdf
12. https://regulatorylawchambers.ca/creekside-solar-inc-creekside-solar-project-auc-decision-27652-d01-2023/
13. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9SfF6Scs98
14. https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/8c4e8ed9-a9bb-4a1e-8683-8136b33f8dff/resource/f1704d4c-78af-4de3-91da-d9873e9f50a4/download/direct-renewenerop-sep14-2018.pdf
15. https://www.atco.com/content/dam/web/projects/hand-hills-hybrid/hand-hills-hybrid-faqs-supplemental-information.pdf
16. https://pacecanadalp.com/portfolios/caroline-solar-14mw/
17. https://albertawilderness.ca/in-case-you-missed-it-alberta-releases-map-for-new-renewable-energy-restrictions/
18. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-renewables-pause-communities-oppose-1.6952038
19. https://majorprojects.alberta.ca/details/Caroline-Solar-Project/4361
20. https://www.auc.ab.ca/featured/caroline-solar-project/
21. https://media.auc.ab.ca/prd-wp-uploads/News/2025/Bulletin%202024-24-Amended.pdf
22. https://www.aboenergy.com/media/en/range-of-activities/canada/stettler/poster_2024_08.pdf
23. https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/6a71e752-8d72-4126-a347-e9f328279904/resource/527c6a99-4004-440c-8033-07872cb8adb0/download/wildlifedirective-albertasolarenergyprojects-oct4-2017.pdf
24. https://hdp-ca-prod-app-rvc-yourview-files.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/5317/2917/5237/Municipal_Land_Use_Suitability_Tool_MLUST_for_Rocky_View_County.pdf
25. https://universalkraft.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/LS1-Newsletter-20240731.pdf
26. https://www.auc.ab.ca/rule-007/
27. https://www.power-technology.com/data-insights/power-plant-profile-caroline-solar-project-canada/
28. https://www.aboenergy.com/ca/company/projects/stettler-solar/
29. https://media.auc.ab.ca/prd-wp-uploads/regulatory_documents/Consultations/2023-08-28-RenewableApprovalPausePeriod-StakeholderComments.pdf
30. https://www.epa.gov/hw/end-life-solar-panels-regulations-and-management
31. https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2022-05/best-practices-siting-solar-photovoltaics-municipal-solid-waste-landfills_051722-pub.pdf
32. https://elementalenergy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Coaldale-Renewable-Energy-Project-Newsletter-June-2024.pdf
33. https://gowlingwlg.com/en-ca/insights-resources/articles/2025/regulatory-shifts-alberta-energy
34. https://www.aboenergy.com/media/en/range-of-activities/canada/stettler/web_stettler_nl_2024_07.pdf
35. https://www.abmunis.ca/sites/default/files/Advocacy/Programs_Initiatives/Municipal_Energy_Policies_Framework/65865_municipal_energy_policy_framework_0.pdf
36. https://www.townandcountrytoday.com/westlock-news/county-brass-encourages-residents-to-attend-solar-project-open-house-6647043