Chapple Township, Ontario

CarbonFree Rainy River

An up to 60 MWAC solar project in Chapple Township, awarded a 20-year contract under the IESO’s Long-Term 2 procurement and designed to keep the land in agricultural production.

Contract awarded April 2026 Operation by May 2030 Developed by CarbonFree since 2006
~60 MWac
Nameplate capacity delivered to the grid
~82 MWdc
Installed panel capacity across the site
20 years
IESO contract term from the operation date
May 2030
Commercial operation on or before 1 May 2030
The project

Project facts

CarbonFree Rainy River LP is proposing to develop an up to 60 MW AC / 82 MW DC solar photovoltaic (PV) project to contribute to the Government of Ontario’s goal of accelerating new electricity generation from renewable sources to support the province’s growing energy needs.

Project name
CarbonFree Rainy River
Proponent
CarbonFree Rainy River Ltd.
Technology
Solar photovoltaic
Procurement
IESO LT2(e-1)
Contract awarded April 2026; 20 years from commercial operation
AC capacity
~60 MWac
DC capacity
~82 MWdc
Location
Chapple Township, approximately 10 km north of Rainy River First Nations (Hwy 11), 25 km east of the Rampel Solar Park and 15 km south of the Rainy River Gold Mine. The nearest intersection is Highway 71 and Mather Rd, with access off Offlake Rd.
Chapple Township Ontario
Site map of the CarbonFree Rainy River project in Chapple Township
Site location

Chapple Township

Important updates

What’s changed, and when

One entry per milestone, newest first.

Recognition

Recognised by Agrivoltaics Canada

CarbonFree Rainy River was recognised by Agrivoltaics Canada as a pioneer in bringing agrivoltaics into the mainstream in Ontario — demonstrating that clean energy development can strengthen, rather than replace, Canadian agriculture.

Read the article
Procurement

Contract awarded under IESO LT2(e-1)

The IESO has concluded its evaluation of proposals under the first window of the Energy Stream of the Long-Term 2 RFP, and CarbonFree Rainy River has been awarded a contract. Proposals were submitted on 16 October 2025; the project must reach commercial operation on or before 1 May 2030, and the contract runs 20 years from that date.

IESO results (PDF) About the LT2 RFP
Agricultural commitment

Agrivoltaics in action

The project embraces agrivoltaics — a land-use model that combines solar energy production with active agricultural practices. We are committed to returning more land to agricultural production than is taken out: formerly cleared lands that have grown back return to production, seeded with grazing species and maintained for the life of the solar project.

Livestock grazing

Rotational grazing in partnership with local agricultural producers, with grazing cycles timed to avoid overgrazing. It supports local farming operations and maintains the land naturally, without chemical herbicides.

Pollinator habitat

Native wildflower meadows planted to support bees and other pollinators vital to the surrounding agricultural ecosystem — goldenrod, black-eyed Susan and wild bergamot.

Community apiary

The project is exploring a community-led shared apiary initiative, to support the broader agricultural lands and the growth of local farm products.

Sheep grazing between rows of solar panels
Livestock grazing

Grazing under the panels

Rotational grazing in partnership with local agricultural producers supports native pasture and maintains vegetation naturally, without chemical herbicides.

Why solar

How solar PV supports a greener Ontario

Solar photovoltaic (PV) technology transforms sunlight into electricity using specially designed panels made of semiconductor materials.

  • Clean and renewable. PV systems generate electricity with zero greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Quiet and low impact. Solar panels operate silently and have a minimal footprint on surrounding communities.
  • Reversible land use. PV installations are designed to be temporary, preserving the land’s long-term value.
  • Energy security. Solar projects help diversify Ontario’s energy mix and enhance resilience.
  • Long-term stewardship. Solar projects can coexist with natural ecosystems and even improve site conditions over time.
Community engagement

Open houses & meetings

Community engagement is central to this project. We host open houses to gather input and answer questions, and post the dates here as they are confirmed.

Public meeting

Second Public Meeting

Following up on the first Public Meeting held in September 2025.

Meeting notice (PDF)
Webinar

Agrivoltaics Canada webinar

Event details
Fair

Emo Agricultural Fair

Open house

Couchiching First Nation Open House

Regulatory context

The approvals it has to pass

The project will follow Ontario’s rigorous permitting and assessment process, including but not limited to:

  • Environmental impact studies
  • Archaeological and cultural heritage assessments
  • Noise, traffic and visual impact modelling
Project documents

Everything on the public record

Current versions. Superseded ones move to the Historical band below rather than being deleted.

Historical

Superseded versions

Kept on the page so the record of what was filed, and when, stays intact.

Meeting notice

Second Public Meeting Notice

Download (PDF)
Economic benefits

Lasting economic value, here in the community

The CarbonFree Rainy River Project isn’t just about generating clean, renewable energy — it’s about creating lasting economic value right here in the community. A Community Benefit Agreement (CBA) will be proposed to support local priorities such as recreation, emergency services and cultural programming, with annual contributions to the CBA, annual share distributions to the local First Nation 50% project partner, and direct land lease payments to landowners.

Local employment

The project will create meaningful employment, including roles in electrical, civil and mechanical trades.

Agricultural income

Farmers will benefit as grazing and beekeeping continue on project lands, keeping hundreds of acres in agricultural production and raising livestock.

Hospitality

Visiting project managers, technicians and contractors bring recurring business to local hotels, restaurants and service providers over the lifetime of the facility.

Local contractors first

Priority for civil works (fencing, earthworks, road construction), vegetation and local road improvements, and catering and accommodation during construction.

Landowner income

Local landowners hosting solar panels receive dependable rent payments each year, keeping those dollars circulating in the area and reinvested in farms and rural businesses.

First Nation partnership

A 50% ownership stake by a local First Nation means significant revenue directly supports community programs, services and economic development initiatives driven by the Nation.

Who we work with

Local partnered contractors

George Armstrong Co. Limited
Local partnered contractor
Landmark Survey and Testing
Local partnered contractor
TBT Engineering Consulting Group
Local partnered contractor
Contact the project

Ask us anything about Rainy River

Messages sent from this page go to the Rainy River project team, not to a general inbox.

rainyriversolar@carbonfree.com 416-975-8800 ×663

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