Canada: Saamis Solar – Alberta

Saamis Solar is a 300 MW solar power project under development on an approximately 1,600-acre site within the city limits of Medicine Hat.

Medicine Hat boasts more days of sunshine per year (330!) than any other city in Canada and the Saamis Solar project is situated in the north-eastern industrial sector of the city. The c.1600-acre site includes a large area of capped phosphogypsum stack and solar power generation offers a productive use of an area that would otherwise have limited development potential. The large, clear and relatively level surface of the cap is ideal for solar panel installation and the project will use a ballasted foundation system to ensure the integrity of the stacks capping is maintained.

A Development Permit for a potential first phase was awarded by the City of Medicine Hat initially in 2019 and renewed in 2020.