Solar Energy In Canada Facts

But let s look at the facts.

Solar energy in canada facts.

The solar energy industry is having rapid growth in canada. Key facts renewable energy sources currently provide about 17 of canada s total primary energy supply wind and solar energy are the fastest growing sources of electricity in canada. A solar pv system in calgary can generate more electricity than a system in rio de janeiro sydney or rome to name a few. Notably solar energy in the country has been 20 which totals 1 804 mw.

And for whatever reason many people seem to blame renewable energy for those raising electricity rates. Canada has substantial solar energy resources due to its vast area. Regions of high solar potential based on global horizontal irradiation being located in the british columbia interior southern alberta southern saskatchewan southern manitoba ontario southern quebec new brunswick southern nova scotia and western prince edward island. Despite canada s cold climate and high latitudes which get less direct sunlight than mid latitudes solar power technologies are used in many places from household rooftops to large power plants.

10 interesting facts about solar energy. April is the most productive month for solar power canada average 122kwh kw mo and december is the least productive month canada average 46kwh kw mo. Canada has a massive wind energy potential which currently powers approximately 560 000 canadian homes. This means that 15 of all solar energy hitting the solar panel is eventually turned into usable electricity.

The image below shows the breakdown with solar not even visible. The largest solar facility is the loyalist solar project with 54 mw capacity which is undergoing construction in ontario. Southern saskatchewan alberta and manitoba receive more solar irradiation than anywhere else in canada. Efficiency of solar energy in canada all factors considered solar energy systems in canada operate at an approximate efficiency of 15.

In canada the use of solar energy to generate electricity and heat is growing quickly and is helping reduce pollution related to energy production. In a recent ontario based study electricity from solar technology was responsible for only 5 percent of the average residential electricity bill in 2016. Solar power is one of the very few sources of energy that is completely free simple and reliable without pollution they. Calgary is the sunniest major city in canada and edmonton ranks in at number 3.

Solar energy represents a tiny tiny fraction of global energy and even smaller fraction in canada.