Early European surveyors once thought that Medicine Hat to be part of a barren wasteland, however once again, Medicine Hat has proven them wrong.
With an abundance of food crops, grazing lands and natural gas, the area has shown that John Palliser’s assessment of the area in 1863 lacks foresight.
On Thursday, members of Medicine Hat’s Energy Services Committee took the first step to adding one more asset to the area. The addition is solar energy.
Committee members are recommending that Medicine Hat supports a one-megawatt solar thermal power research project that will attempt to prove that this form of alternative energy source can work in northern cities.
Working alongside the Alberta Research Council, the city has been asked to come up with $3 million of the $9 million required for the project, which will oversee the power plant’s turbines use steam produced by solar energy instead of natural gas.
If this project goes ahead, it will be the first time this technology has been used in Canada.
Solar generation can be used for commercial purposes which require heat and of course it can provide a far cheaper for of electricity for residents.
If this project is approved and it works out, Medicine Hat will not only have another reason for its name to be on the map, but it will ultimately be providing its residents with far better living conditions. Of course another great part of solar energy is that it helps keep our environment green.
What awaits now is whether the province and federal government steps in for funding.
Glen Chapman
Broker of Record with Club “100″ GMAC Real Estate
www.club100realestate.com
