
- Reduce the overall project footprint in an effort to address concerns relating to aesthetics, land reclamation, environment, and wildlife.
- Increase the space between the river and our proposed project fence line. This will provide more natural area along the river than is currently present.
- Provide the City of Edmonton with access through our property (outside the solar farm fence line) for future recreational trails to ensure connectivity of the surrounding trail system
Source: Epcor Website -> E.L. Smith Solar Farm
Solar farms don’t have to be large, barren industrial sites. With proper environmental impact assessments and ecological management plans, they can mitigate their ecological impact. In addition to the above actions, Epcor may consider the following actions:- Use fencing with minimal intrusion. Keeping a clearance of 10-15cm at the bottom allows the passage of small animals
- Keep bees on site
Bees kept on a solar farm
- Allow grazing of sheep or goats under panels to keep level of grass from growing too high. Perhaps Epcor can partner with the city’s new Edmonton Goat Pilot Project!
Goats with a background of solar panels
- Make bird boxes
- When reclaiming the site after construction, a diverse assortment of local fauna should be planted taking into account shading from panels
- Hedges around perimeter to provide shelter for small animals and birds
Biodiversity near ground-mounted solar systems
