Engineering design and project delivery for Sollair solar

Challenge

The Sollair Solar Project is a 102 MW (DC) / 75 MW (AC) single-axis tracker, ground-mounted solar development interconnected at 138 kV. Delivered under a prime EPC contract with Barton Malow, the project required full engineering design within a compressed timeline driven by expiring financial incentives at the end of 2023.

Midway through development, the Owner transitioned to a Nextracker single-axis tracker system, necessitating a full redesign of the racking and corresponding updates to the electrical design. This introduced additional complexity, particularly given site-specific and cold climate considerations, and required careful coordination between structural, electrical, and civil design components.

At the same time, the project required coordination of civil works, stormwater management, and permitting activities to meet regulatory requirements. Acoustical compliance, in support of the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) approval process, added another layer of technical and regulatory consideration. Maintaining schedule certainty while managing evolving design requirements and multiple workstreams was critical to meeting project objectives.

Solution

Acting as Engineer of Record, SLR delivered integrated, multidisciplinary engineering services to support project execution. The team completed a full redesign of the racking system to accommodate the selected tracker technology, including detailed assessment of performance under local environmental conditions and alignment with updated electrical infrastructure.

SLR also led the civil and stormwater management design, optimizing grading and reducing overall civil scope by leveraging the site’s natural topography to improve constructability and efficiency. This approach supported a more streamlined design while maintaining alignment with regulatory requirements.

To meet the accelerated schedule, SLR worked closely with the EPC contractor and Owner to prioritize and advance critical engineering packages. This enabled early construction of key systems ahead of incentive deadlines while maintaining coordination across disciplines and ensuring design consistency.

In parallel, SLR provided specialist acoustical consulting to support the AUC approval process, including a Noise Impact Assessment, expert witness services, and post-construction compliance verification. Field measurements at nearby residences and project equipment were used to refine acoustic modelling and confirm adherence to permissible sound levels.

Impact

Despite a compressed timeline and evolving design requirements, the Sollair Solar Project was successfully delivered through coordinated engineering and proactive collaboration.

SLR’s integrated approach enabled a constructible, optimized design that aligned with project timelines and regulatory expectations while maintaining consistency across engineering disciplines.

The project now contributes significant renewable energy capacity to Alberta’s grid while meeting stringent permitting and compliance requirements, supporting both regional energy goals and the Owner’s broader sustainability objectives.