How It Started

Introduction

The Caroline Solar Project didn’t emerge overnight—it began as a local initiative driven by economic pressures in a small Alberta village. In 2018, with a population of just 512, the Village of Caroline (pre-amalgamation with Clearwater County) faced challenges typical of rural communities: limited industrial growth, heavy residential tax burdens, and a need for revenue. What started as a proactive pitch from village leadership to explore renewables has since ballooned into a contentious battle, pitting early promises of economic relief against current concerns over land use, community impact, and policy overrides.

This page traces the project’s roots from 2018 onward, using public records, media reports, and official documents. It reveals how Mayor John Rimmer’s vision for solar as a "perfect fit" for land zoned Future Residential evolved into PACE Bang Energy LP’s 14.67-16.1 MW farm on 57-80 acres—now opposed by the Rural Alberta Concerned Communities Group (RACCG) and locals post-2025 AUC approval. Understanding these origins highlights the shift from local skepticism to widespread resistance, especially after amalgamation complicated municipal control.

Timeline of Origins: From Idea to Application

2018: Village Leadership Initiates Contact In July 2018, Mayor John Rimmer approached an unnamed renewable energy proponent with the idea of developing solar projects in and around Caroline. Located on the east slope of the Rocky Mountains within Clearwater County, the village saw renewables as a way to leverage land. On September 18, 2018, an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) was executed between the Village Council and the proponent for solar energy development. This marked the official start, as detailed in the 2024 economic development summary: "A company that approached the Village inquiring as to the interest in a $22 Million solar project. As a Council our position was to weigh the pros and cons of the project and after a few meetings we determined that we would not hinder PACE's application to the AUC." This decision was made without any consultation with the citizens of Caroline. Zero.

2019: Land Lease Secured On April 17, 2019, PACE Canada LP (a partnership of Pathfinder Clean Energy and GOLDBECK SOLAR) entered into a Lease/Option agreement with landowners Germaine and Bob Roper for 80 acres within the village boundaries. This land, zoned Future Residential was seen as ideal due to its proximity to the grid. The 2024 summary notes: "PACE entered into a Lease/Option agreement with Germaine and Bob Roper for 80 acres within the urban boundary."

2022: Public Announcement and Early Support By November 2022, PACE publicly announced the 14 MW project on 57 acres, as reported in the Red Deer Advocate (Nov 22, 2022): "PACE Canada LP has proposed building a 14-megawatt solar power project... Once operating, the $17 million solar project will reduce annual carbon emissions by about 12,300 tonnes." Mayor Rimmer endorsed it, citing tax relief: "Like many smaller communities... a large share of the tax burden falls on residential taxes. A project like PACE’s helps improve that ratio." He revealed a prior company proposed solar ~5 years earlier (around 2017), but PACE bought them out. PACE's Claude Mindorff highlighted agrivoltaics (grazing continuation) and community benefits: "It is zoned agricultural use and it will stay agricultural use."

2023-2024: Momentum Builds Amid Broader Context A 2023 CBC report (exact details not specified in docs) noted ongoing planning. By 2024, the project was framed as economic development: "Economic development within the village is a serious responsibility for the Council. A responsible Council should encourage development within the village to increase tax revenue." Construction was eyed for fall 2023, but delays pushed it. The AUC application (Proceeding 28295) was filed in 2023, leading to the 2025 approval.

Key Players in the Beginning

Mayor John Rimmer: Central figure, proactively seeking renewables for tax diversification. In 2022: "This (project) seemed like a perfect fit." Highlighted in 2024 text: "Rimmer said Caroline has worked for years to attract a renewable power developer. He called the government's reason for the pause 'an excuse.'"

PACE Bang Energy LP: Stepped in after buying out the original proponent. Focused on "urban municipal solar projects" like Caroline as a model, aiming for 500 MW province-wide.
Landowners (Ropers): Leased 80 acres, allowing dual use for grazing/solar.

Screenshots from PACE's April 22, 2025, response and RACCG's March 14 letter show how early support contrasts with later opposition, citing "conflict of interest" in developer-led consultations.

Opposition

The residents of Caroline were neither asked nor informed. The mayor was acting on his own volition. The public had no knowledge of this early outreach and MOU in 2018, leading to shock and dismay when details emerged later. This lack of transparency fueled the formation of opposition groups like the Caroline Concerned Citizens Group around 2022-2023, as residents felt their voices were disregarded from the start. Post-amalgamation (Jan 1, 2025), Clearwater County rejected it (April 7, 2025). RACCG's letter argues the AUC ignored this, violating UCP policies. Media like Western Standard (March 10, 2025) later called it a "solar sinkhole," reflecting the turnaround.

Why This Matters Today

Understanding "How It Started" reveals the project's roots in local economic desperation but exposes flaws: Outdated bylaws not designed for solar, lack of independent oversight, and post-pause UCP rules (e.g., ag protection) not retroactively applied. As Russell Barnett’s September 1, 2025, letter to Minister Dan Williams states: "Your advocacy for rural communities... underscores the importance of local decision-making."