Voltarix Group is committed to working with independent third-party subject matter experts to identify and mitigate the potential impacts of the Creekside Solar project.

• No soils will be stripped from site and existing agriculture will remain growing between solar rows. There will be no lasting impact to the high fertility nature of the soils impacting future and neighbouring agriculture uses. Sheep will be used to maintain overgrowth, weed contamination and land fertilization.

• General and seasonal vegetation, wetland and wildlife surveys are currently being conducted to determine potential environmental effects of the project and ensure the Conjuring Creek wildlife corridor is maintained.

• A noise impact assessment will be performed in compliance with AUC Rule 012 for Noise Control. Solar produces very little noise during operation and studies will be performed to ensure low impact to nearby dwellings.

• The historical resource potential will be assessed by the Province of Alberta to ensure no potential impacts.

• Solar modules are commonly mistaken to create glare; however, light is absorbed by the module opposed to reflected. A glint and glare analysis will be complete to enure nominal impacts.

We will continually add our findings to the project website and are committed to share any and all identified risks with the public to ensure all concerns are addressed. All potential impacts will be considered during the design process and impact management plans will be put in place for construction and long-term operations.

2021
The majority of 2021 will be spent undergoing consultation and notification with stakeholders within 800m of the Project as well as addressing concerns from the greater Parkland County community regarding our proposed land use bylaw amendment.

2022
VGI will complete professional third-party studies to evaluate potential impacts as described within the Impact Management section of this information package. All findings will be shared with the public as part of our Alberta Utility Commission (AUC) application for regulatory approval.

2023
Upon Municipal, Provincial, and electrical regulatory approvals, VGI plans to construct the facilities beginning spring of 2023, pending seasonal conditions at time of approval. The project will be commercially operating by Q3 of 2023.

* Timelines are dependent on many factors and may be extended or accelerated as deemed necessary.

1. Why have you chosen this site?
   The site was selected due to its proximity to Fortis Alberta’s existing Buford substation which distributes electricity across approximately 60,000 hectares of rural Alberta. By constructing a solar array directly at the location of the substation, the project is able to displace a greater amount of non-renewable energy, resulting in more meaningful and impactful environment benefits.  Any other location within Leduc County would result in fewer environmental benefits and displace less non-renewable energy. By producing solar energy in this location, we can help reduce the areas reliance on carbon emitting electrical generation. The site was also selected for its flat profile and proximity to Calmar.  Upon completion, the project will have capacity to provide green power for the entire Town of Calmar and a large portion of Leduc County during the day making Leduc County one of the "greenest" municipalities Canada.
2. Is there risk of contamination to the land or air?
   No. Solar modules do not leach chemicals and there will be no underground hazardous materials, nor will our project emit dangerous or heat capturing fumes. Voltarix is committed to protect the high quality agricultural lands, environment and the communities we build in. Visit Impact Management to learn more.
3. What will be done to prevent the potential for weeds to contaminate adjacent farmland?
   VGI will manage weeds through mechanical means as necessary. We will use herds of sheep to eat weeds, grass and overgrowth while increasing the fertility of the land. If required, we will revegetate the site in consultation with local farmers using a seed mix that will not impact nearby agricultural activities. We will remove any noxious weeds found on the site or will control them without delay.
4. Will the agricultural land be taken out of use?
   The property is currently used for growing hay.  Voltarix is committed to ensure nominal impacts to the agricultural potential of the land. No soil will be stripped from site. There are no below grade contaminants, no sewer or water lines, and no concrete slabs such as those required for commercial buildings and residential dwellings which kill the soil fertility below them.  Solar energy systems are temporary in nature, and the land below the array will have nominal impacts from it's existance. Steel driven piles can easily be removed at time of facility decomissioning and the land can be turned over for agricultural uses with minimal prep work.
5. What training and education opportunities are there?
   Voltarix has a vision of creating a "Center of Excellence in Energy & Innovation" at the project site. There's opportunity at the particular site with abandoned pipelines and proximity to the existing substation and power demand that's not presented elsewhere.  We studied feasibility of a compressed air battery system, and hydrogen production system with Breeze Inc. to compliment the solar array at a future date; however, decided not to include it as part of the Creekside Solar project. Should compressed air and/or hydrogen production projects form future plans, they will be under separate regulatory approvals and consultation efforts, independent from the Creekside Solar project. Voltarix has no current plans or agreements with Breeze Inc to pursue compressed air or hydrogen projects at the Creekside Solar site.
6.  How are the visual impacts of the solar project mitigated?

   Voltarix is working with landowners in areas of visual sensitivity to identify a vegetation buffer on the north property line.  We have proposed increasing density of the existing tree line at the northern property line to create a natural screen of the array. Property setbacks will be maintained in accordance with local regulators and Alberta Transportation.

7. Will the solar array affect nearby property values?

   We do not anticipate any impacts to property values. Professional assessments performed in other jurisdictions have found that solar projects do not have a perceptible impact on the value of nearby properties. Many solar arrays have been commissioned in Alberta with no recorded impact to neighboring land value as solar arrays are low impact electrical generators and low visibility with a maximum height of ten feet.

8. Are Lithium-Ion batteries included in the Creekside Solar Project?

   No. The electrical systems are designed to be "battery-ready" with no additional infrastructure requirements with an allocated footprint within the existing project fence line; however, battery installation and operation does not form part of the Creekside Solar project scope.

9. What other uses are planned for the Creekside Solar Project?

   None. The Creekside Solar project will be brought to the Alberta Utility Commission for approval on the basis of photovoltaic solar power generation only, as per the Project Specific Information Package and Public Open House January 31, 2022. No batteries, compressed air, or hydrogen production forms part of the Creekside Solar project scope of work.

10. Who performed Environmental Studies at the project site? 

    CORE Geomatics & Environmental Consulting 

11. What is the potential breakdown of agriculture land ratios within the site footprint?

    Solar & AG Lands Ratios

12. What is the final acreage of the project site? The PSIP referenced 150 acres; while the Public Open House, County Workshops, and Council meetings referenced between 100-110 acres

    The project design is subject to changes until an AUC application has been submit.

    The entire legal property Voltarix has a purchase interest in, is exactly 127.62 acres measured from the property line, and the developed site coverage will be less due to property and environmental setbacks.

    Current Bylaws provide setback information for only 3 of the 4 sides of property setbacks.  Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) will review and finalize the setbacks from Conjuring Creek as part of the Renewable Energy Referral Report (RERR) they will issue upon review of independent biologist reporting.  Until AEP issues their RERR, we cannot determine the final setback or the final site footprint therefore sizes were assumed higher during the early public consultation stages and reduced as more information was discovered.

    The final site impact will be stated as part of the formal AUC application

13. Who do I contact if I have concerns that are not addressed here? 

    Please see "Community Engagement" above.