# Medicine Hat’s Saamis Solar Project Shrinks to 75 MW: What This Means for Solar in Alberta
The city of Medicine Hat, Alberta, has decided to reduce the size of the Saamis Solar Project from its initially planned 325 MW capacity down to just 75 MW. This decision significantly impacts the development of large-scale solar in Alberta and raises questions about the balance between renewable energy adoption and existing fossil fuel infrastructure.
## Why Medicine Hat is Perfect for Solar Development
Medicine Hat boasts some of the highest annual sunshine hours in Canada, making it an ideal location for solar development. The Saamis Solar Project, planned on approximately 1,600 acres of contaminated land near Canada’s largest fertilizer plant, represents an opportunity to repurpose damaged land for clean energy production.
The site has been contaminated by a solid waste byproduct of nitrogen production. Before installing solar panels for your home or large-scale solar arrays, proper land restoration is necessary. In this case, the city plans to cap the contaminated land with clay to ensure a stable and safe foundation for the panels.
## The Downsizing of the Saamis Solar Project
The project originally secured development approval for 325 MW in 2024, but when the City of Medicine Hat took over ownership
Original Article: https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2025/02/27/canadas-gas-city-downsizes-325-mw-solar-project/
