--- title: "Salay Prayzaan: Hybrid Power for Remote Areas | BBA USA" date: 2024-09-25T11:21:00-04:00 author: Caroline Lemire Gaumont canonical_url: "https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-us/projects/salay-prayzaan" section: Projects --- Salay Prayzaan, a community-generation solar project, located in Smoky Lake County is a key initiative under the Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP). Operating since autumn of 2023, this 12,840-solar-panel project produces enough energy to power 1,200 Alberta homes. Beyond its environmental impact in fighting climate change, it fosters economic growth and cultivates local spin-offs for the Métis Nation and partner communities. - Date Oct 01, 2023 - Region Western Canada - Client ATCO 1. ## Our experts' solutions In 2017, the MNA unveiled its inaugural Climate Change Action Plan to “fully support and direct the MNA in \[…\] designing and undertaking climate change initiatives and programs, including actions aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing Métis involvement and awareness of climate change while creating capacity and economic opportunities for Métis citizens.” It was within this framework that the foundations of Salay Prayzaan emerged. Together, the Town of Smoky Lake, Smoky Lake County and the MNA worked to develop this 4.86-megawatt solar project, which stands as the most northerly grid-connected solar generation initiative of substantial scale in Alberta. ATCO, serving as the prime contractor for the construction, enlisted BBA to perform environmental assessments, engineering studies, detailed design of the solar farm (excluding the electrical design) and commissioning of the medium-voltage (MV) system. Key aspects of the mandate included: - Civil design: General layout and site plans, earthworks and drainage, roads and paving - Structural design: Foundations for inverters, transformers and the E-house - Power system studies: Load flow, short circuit and arc flash, protection coordination and grounding - Commissioning of the MV system: Transformers, cables, relays and switchgear - Environmental assessments: Pre-construction assessments, field assessments, monitoring and documentation The energy generated by the solar modules is fed back into the local distribution grid, where it flows to nearby communities, including Métis Crossing and Smoky Lake County. The successful implementation of this technology is significant for these communities, not only in terms of financial benefits, but also in reinforcing their commitment to sustainability. 2. - [ ![BBA Salay Prayzaan CCEAWARDS 03](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/_size_squared/187717/BBA_SalayPrayzaan_CCEAWARDS_03.webp) ](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/BBA_SalayPrayzaan_CCEAWARDS_03.jpg) - [ ![BBA Salay Prayzaan CCEAWARDS 12](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/_size_squared/187718/BBA_SalayPrayzaan_CCEAWARDS_12.webp) ](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/BBA_SalayPrayzaan_CCEAWARDS_12.jpg) 1. - 4,700 It lowered CO2 emissions by 4,700 tonnes in its first year - 10,000 It's the equivalent of taking 10,000 cars off the road annually - 100% Métis-owned solar project - [ 17 Aug 2026 Marc-André Langlais appointed Chief Technology Officer ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-us/news/marc-andre-langlais-appointed-chief-technology-officer "Marc-André Langlais appointed Chief Technology Officer") - [ 17 Aug 2026 Structural engineering early phase: unlocking value through early decisions - ![Nicolas Samson](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/197852/Nicolas-Samson.webp) Nicolas Samson, P.Eng. Senior Engineer, Structural ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-us/insights/structural-engineering-early-phase-unlocking-value-through-early-decisions "Structural engineering early phase: unlocking value through early decisions") - [ 12 Aug 2026 Four mistakes that can harm the future performance of industrial assets - ![Caroline provost](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/208557/Caroline-provost.webp) Caroline Provost P.Eng. Director, Operational Strategy Implementation ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-us/insights/four-mistakes-that-can-harm-the-future-performance-of-industrial-assets "Four mistakes that can harm the future performance of industrial assets") - [ 29 Jul 2026 Sachin Jari appointed Principal Director & Head of Commercial Strategy and Business Development ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-us/news/sachin-jari-appointed-principal-director-head-of-commercial-strategy-and-business-development "Sachin Jari appointed Principal Director & Head of Commercial Strategy and Business Development") Let’s see what we can do together [ Contact us ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-us/contact) 1. ## Our experts' solutions In 2017, the MNA unveiled its inaugural Climate Change Action Plan to “fully support and direct the MNA in \[…\] designing and undertaking climate change initiatives and programs, including actions aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing Métis involvement and awareness of climate change while creating capacity and economic opportunities for Métis citizens.” It was within this framework that the foundations of Salay Prayzaan emerged. Together, the Town of Smoky Lake, Smoky Lake County and the MNA worked to develop this 4.86-megawatt solar project, which stands as the most northerly grid-connected solar generation initiative of substantial scale in Alberta. ATCO, serving as the prime contractor for the construction, enlisted BBA to perform environmental assessments, engineering studies, detailed design of the solar farm (excluding the electrical design) and commissioning of the medium-voltage (MV) system. Key aspects of the mandate included: - Civil design: General layout and site plans, earthworks and drainage, roads and paving - Structural design: Foundations for inverters, transformers and the E-house - Power system studies: Load flow, short circuit and arc flash, protection coordination and grounding - Commissioning of the MV system: Transformers, cables, relays and switchgear - Environmental assessments: Pre-construction assessments, field assessments, monitoring and documentation The energy generated by the solar modules is fed back into the local distribution grid, where it flows to nearby communities, including Métis Crossing and Smoky Lake County. The successful implementation of this technology is significant for these communities, not only in terms of financial benefits, but also in reinforcing their commitment to sustainability. 2. - [ ![BBA Salay Prayzaan CCEAWARDS 03](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/_size_squared/187717/BBA_SalayPrayzaan_CCEAWARDS_03.webp) ](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/BBA_SalayPrayzaan_CCEAWARDS_03.jpg) - [ ![BBA Salay Prayzaan CCEAWARDS 12](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/_size_squared/187718/BBA_SalayPrayzaan_CCEAWARDS_12.webp) ](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/BBA_SalayPrayzaan_CCEAWARDS_12.jpg)