Magrath Solar Array is fully operational

Posted on March 5, 2026 by admin

By Heather Cameron
Southern Alberta Newspapers

Town of Magrath Chief Administrative Officer James Suffredine said that the Magrath Solar Array is now ‘fully operational’ and generating power at maximum per-site capacity.

“All technical, safety, and regulatory requirements have been met, ensuring the system is reliable and ready to deliver long-term energy savings,” said Suffredine.

Suffredine added that the project provides ‘significant benefits’ to the Magrath community in that it is expected to reduce energy costs at municipal facilities, creating a long-term revenue stream, and it positions the Town of Magrath as a leader in sustainable infrastructure.

Response to the project, Suffredine also said, has been very positive, with stakeholders and residents recognizing both the financial and environmental advantages. 

“The project is viewed as a model for responsible and forward-thinking municipal investment,” said Suffredine.

This project, Suffredine noted, took root in the spring of 2024, when Magrath Town Council approved moving forward with the solar array project, and initiated its first phase later that year in the fall of 2024. In 2025, Suffredine added, Council then approved moving ahead with Phase Two, which doubled the Town’s existing solar panel array, building on the original installation and optimizing the use of existing infrastructure to improve overall energy generation. Phase Two, Suffredine said, had a budget of $215,000. The project stayed consistent with the estimated budget with only minor geotechnical additions needed, which demonstrated careful financial management throughout both phases.

Funding for the project, Suffredine said, was supported through partial funding from the Government of Alberta, Municipal Climate Change Action Centre’s (MCCAC) Municipal Energy Generation Program, ATCO’s Community Energy Fund, and municipal contributions. 

“This initiative reflects the Town’s commitment to sustainability, energy efficiency, and long-term financial planning, while also creating a revenue stream and reducing municipal energy costs,” explained Suffredine. “The project provides significant benefits to the Magrath community. It is expected to reduce energy costs at municipal facilities, creating a long-term revenue stream, and it positions the Town as a leader in sustainable infrastructure. The long-term goal is to create a steady, reliable revenue stream for the Town that reduces municipal energy costs. The Town may also explore further renewable energy initiatives in the future to continue advancing sustainability and financial efficiency.”