Red Deer Polytechnic to Advance Agrivoltaics in Alberta with Fresh Funding

Red Deer Polytechnic has received more than one million dollars in federal funding.

The public polytechnic institute garnered $1.245M from Natural Resources Canada through the Energy Innovation Program, the organizations announced recently.

The capital will support the creation of an agrivoltaics demonstration unit as part of RDP’s Energy Innovation Centre.

The project, “Pioneering & Advancing Red Deer Polytechnic’s Data Sharing Alliance in Agrivoltaics,” explores dual-use of land by integrating active crop cultivation with solar photovoltaic technology.

“The Agrivoltaics demonstration unit at Red Deer Polytechnic combines renewable energy generation with agricultural productivity, addressing the dual challenges of reliable, consistent clean energy and food security,” explains Dr. Tonya Wolfe, Associate Vice President of Applied Research at RDP.

Located on RDP’s campus, the outdoor site will feature solar panels and tracking systems designed to optimize energy generation while maintaining agricultural productivity in cold climates.

“This approach maximizes land efficiency, reduces carbon emissions and enhances yields, offering both economic and environmental benefits,” Wolfe says.

The installation will become part of RDP’s Campus Energy Living Lab, supporting applied research while helping prepare the next generation of energy and agricultural professionals, according to a statement.

“The site will not only validate the balance between energy generation and food production but also support commercialization of technologies that support the agrivoltaics industry,” Wolfe said.

Performance data will be collected and shared through RDP’s Data Sharing Alliance platform, a real-time open-source tool that already aggregates data from eight solar sites across Alberta.

The DSA will use AI and Industrial Internet of Things sensors to analyzeenergy production, soil moisture, and crop health.

This open-source platform will provide farmers and policymakers with the actionable insights.

The project involves strategic partnerships with industry leaders Nextpower and CBI Solar.

“CBI Solar is committed to supplying and installing a high-quality solar component required to make this dual-use system a reality,” commented CEO Colin Watts. “By combining solar production with agricultural practices, this project showcases the future of innovation in both sectors and contributes directly to Alberta’s economic growth.”