ALBERTAS Solar Energy Resource

CanSIA
C A N A D I A N S O L A R I N D U S T R I E S A S S O C I AT I O N

ALBERTAS Solar Energy Resource

CanSIA
C A N A D I A N S O L A R I N D U S T R I E S A S S O C I AT I O N

Albertas energy resources and the human talent required to harness them have largely brought the province to where it proudly stands today a global energy leader with a diverse resource portfolio including coal, electricity, minerals, natural gas, conventional oil, petrochemicals, renewable and oil sands. However, the provinces largest proven energy resource solar energy remains a largely untapped energy resource. This document prepared by the Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA) presents information about the quality, scale and potential of Albertas solar energy resource.

Alberta has a world-class solar energy resource

So its clear that Alberta has a quality solar energy resource but how does it rank in Canada against the other provinces? When we look at the largest maximum solar energy resource achievable in each province (optimal tilt), we nd Alberta at the top of the table:
City Crowsnest Pass Fernie Owen Sound Yarmouth Claredon Minton Clarence Ridge Goodlands Mimengash Wabush
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Province AB BC ON NS QC SK NB MB PE NL

kWh/m/day 4.23 4.23 4.21 4.17 4.17 4.16 4.15 4.05 3.92 3.64

Why is solar energy important to Alberta?

Today Alberta considers the solutions that would secure its position as a responsible world-class energy supplier, an energy technology champion, a sophisticated energy consumer, and a solid global environmental citizen for the future. Accelerating the deployment of technology to harness the high-value low-impact solar energy resource has the potential to: Diversify Albertas resourcebased economy. Stimulate billions of dollars of economic activity and investment. Create thousands of quality jobs. Displace millions of tonnes of greenhouse gases.

Here are some other facts that every Albertan should know:
Is Alberta too far north to e ectively harness its solar energy resource? No. The e ect of latitude on the solar energy resource is not quite what many would think: Edmonton is on the same latitude as Manchester (UK) but its annual solar energy resource is over 20% greater. Okotoks is over 25 of latitude North of Miami (US) but has a greater solar energy resource between July and October. Are Albertas winters too long and harsh? No. Solar energy technology functions well in wintery conditions especially very cold days with blue skies: Solar heating and electricity technologies both operate more e ciently with cold ambient temperatures. In fact, in 2009 over 75% of solar electric panels were installed in countries that experience snow. Keep reading for more information..

CanSIA is a national trade association that represents approximately 650 solar energy companies throughout Canada. Since 1992, CanSIA has worked to develop a strong, e cient, ethical and professional Canadian solar energy industry with capacity to provide innovative solar energy solutions and to play a major role in the global transition to a sustainable, clean-energy future.

Solar Facts

Mission

IN ONE DAY Albertas solar energy resource is equivalent to the provinces remaining conventional established oil reserves, estimated at 1.5 billion barrels.

The quality of Albertas solar energy resource, combined with rapidly decreasing technology costs and the need for environmental stewardship makes it only a matter of time before solar energy technologies become widespread across the province. To achieve this, a coordinated e ort from all stakeholders is required. For more information about solar energy technology, industry and markets visit our website at www.cansia.ca.

A national, not-for-pro t association, CanSIA works on behalf of its members to facilitate and promote the responsible and sustainable growth of solar energy across Canada. CanSIA provides education and networking opportunities for members, researches and develops renewable energy policy options for di erent levels of Canadas government and implements a broad range of communications activities on solar energy. November 2012

IN ONE YEAR Albertas solar energy resource is almost one million-billion kilowatt hours (1,000,000,000,000,000 kWh).

References
Global Horizontal Irradiation solar resource map, kWh/m2/day, annual average - Data Source, Spatial Resolution, Period: Alberta: NRCAN 10km (2002-2008), NSRDB 10km (1998-2005), and NASA SSE 1 Degree (1983- 2005) Ontario: NASA SSE 1 Degree (1983- 2005) Germany: NASA SSE 1 Degree (1983- 2005). Optimal Tilt Irradiation solar resource maps, kWh/m2/day, annual average for Alberta, Ontario and Germany Data Source, Spatial Resolution, Period: NASA SSE 1 Degree (1983- 2005). In the presented map set Optimal Tilt refers to placement of solar panels tilted from the horizontal at a degree equal to the latitude of the site.
Green Power Labs Inc.

How strong is Albertas solar energy resource?

Albertas solar energy resource is almost one million-billion kilowatt hours (1,000,000,000,000,000 kWh) per year. Alberta has not only the best solar energy resource in Canada, it is also world-class. Many people dont realize this.

Drake Landing Solar Community in Okotoks receives 97% of its annual heating demands from solar energy. The Okotoks Region receives approx. 2,300 average hours of sunshine per year and more solar energy from June to October than Miami, Florida.

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ALBERTAS Solar Energy Resource

CanSIA
What is the AVERAGE daily solar energy resource in Alberta?
These maps show the average daily solar energy resource in Alberta, Ontario and Germany on a horizontal surface (kWh per m2). As can be seen, Albertas solar energy resource is equivalent to, or better than that of Ontario and Germany two jurisdictions with globally recognized markets for solar energy technology.

What is the MAXIMUM daily solar energy resource in Alberta?

These maps show the maximum daily solar energy resource achievable in Alberta, Ontario and Germany on a surface tilted optimally toward the sun (kWh per m2). As can be seen, Albertas solar energy resource is again equivalent to, or better than that of Ontario and Germany most signi cantly in Albertas most populated areas.

Alberta

Ontario

Alberta

Ontario

6 7 9 8

6 7 9 8

Germany
10 11 1 1

Germany
10 11

12

12

kWh/m2/day

Alberta 1) Grand Prairie 2) Edmonton 3) Calgary 4) Medicine Hat

Ontario 5) Thunder Bay 6) Timmins 7) Ottawa 8) Toronto 9) Windsor

kWh/m2/day

Alberta 1) Grand Prairie 2) Edmonton 3) Calgary 4) Medicine Hat

Ontario 5) Thunder Bay 6) Timmins 7) Ottawa 8) Toronto 9) Windsor

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Germany 10) Hamburg 11) Berlin 12) Munich

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Germany 10) Hamburg 11) Berlin 12) Munich

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