During the summer of 2021, Brazeau County completed the installation of a new solar system at the Violet Grove Lagoon.
The 64 solar panels generate enough power to run the aeration system for the innovative Constructed Floating Wetlands over the lagoon, and supply power to the transfer station. This new system is in addition to over 900 solar panels installed in 2016/17 at the Breton Fire Hall, Lodgepole Fire Hall, the Rocky Rapids Water Treatment Plant, and the County Administration building.
“Brazeau County is taking action to protect our environment and air,” says Reeve Bart Guyon. “Combined, these projects will offset almost 150 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually, which helps reduce the County’s carbon footprint.”
The five solar systems together generate almost 298,800-kilowatt hours each year, with about 34,100-kilowatt hours/year expected from the new Violet Grove solar system. Funding for the project will come in part from Municipal Climate Change Action Centre’s (MCCAC) Alberta Municipal Solar Program.
Fast facts
- The entire solar array consists of 64 solar PV modules and has a maximum capacity of 28.8 kW DC.
- The system will produce enough electricity to aerate both lagoon cells and the transfer station for the Hamlet of Violet Grove.
- The five systems combined will generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of 25 average homes, offsetting about 150 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually. Enough CO2 reduction from the environment equivalent to 3,496 new trees, and Enough to take the equivalent of 46 passenger vehicles driven for a year off the road.
Working youth are suffering
Not too long ago, I heard a complaint about youth being too lazy to get jobs nowadays. That annoys me to no end because not only is it painting an entire generation with a broad brush, the blame for lower employment rates is placed solely at the feet of the youth, which is not right.
Drayton to host U11 finals
The Team Auctions Centre will be a busy place in March as it hosts the U11 A and B teams Division Finals on two different weekends.
Kara Westerlund, a member of the social committee for the event, says this community was selected after the Drayton Valley Minor Hockey Association put in a bid with Hockey Alberta.
How do I love thee? … Ummm
Close observers of current events, or anyone with a pulse for that matter, has probably noticed that the world is a pretty crappy place right now. How crappy? Well, it’s as crappy as it’s ever been as far as I can remember,
Elevator back in action
After a wait of several months, residents at the Wishing Well once again have a working elevator.
Since October last year the elevator has been out of commission while the province waited on parts for the repair.
