A solar farm for Kimberley

Excellent solar conditions could help turn Sullivan Mine’s brownfield into an asset for Kimberley with a pilot photovoltaic plan

by
Two large solar panels collect energy beneath a blue sky.

A solar farm could be in Kimberley's future, repurposing an old lead mine site. — Naypong/photos.com

Kimberley B.C. used to be the site of the largest lead mine in Canada. When Sullivan Mine closed operations in 2001, this Kootenay community lost one of its major economic drivers.

Fortunately, Kimberley has another underdeveloped resource: one of the highest solar energy intensities in Canada. The “SunMine ™” – or “Mining the Sun ™” project was born out of the realization that the Sullivan brownfield with its heritage infrastructure, including roads, high-voltage transmission lines and sub-stations, could be used to take advantage of Kimberley’s solar energy potential. -SunMine website

Teck Resources Ltd., the City of Kimberley and EcoSmart, a not-for-profit corporation based in Vancouver, are behind the solar farm initiative. Excellent solar conditions could help turn Sullivan Mine’s brownfield into an asset for the community with a pilot photovoltaic plant.

The goal is to achieve the lowest cost per megawatt-hour, paving the way to grid parity and the development of an extensive high-performance solar farm. -SunMine website

Return to Green Scene for more great posts on sustainability.
 

Kristen Mitchell

Kristen studied at College of the Rockies in Cranbrook and has worked in a variety of industries, from agriculture to construction, retail to restaurants. She now brings her understanding of the area to Kootenay Business magazine. View all of Kristen Mitchell’s articles

Related articles

Green Scene, East Kootenay, West Kootenay, Agriculture, Entertainment and Hospitality, Environment, Tourism A love for local: Farmers market season across the Kootenays brings communities together

Local farmers markets help to increase food security and create sustainable communities—check out our list of markets across the Kootenays.

by
Green Scene, East Kootenay, West Kootenay, Environment These Kootenay local governments have voted for 100% renewable energy by 2050

The 100% Renewable Kootenays campaign for clean energy, led by the West Kootenay EcoSociety, continues to grow, adding No. 12: Golden

by
View all articles

Comments