Burgeo, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada presents significant challenges for year-round solar energy generation, with highly variable seasonal output that makes it less than ideal for consistent solar power production.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output at this Northern Temperate Zone location varies dramatically throughout the year. Summer provides the strongest performance at 5.41 kWh per day per kW of installed capacity, making it an excellent time for solar generation. Spring also offers good production levels at 4.47 kWh per day per kW, providing a substantial energy harvest during this season. However, the location faces serious limitations during colder months. Autumn drops to just 2.63 kWh per day per kW, while winter plummets to a mere 1.36 kWh per day per kW - representing only 25% of summer production levels. This extreme seasonal variation means solar installations would generate four times more energy in summer than winter.

Optimal Panel Configuration

For maximum year-round energy production at Burgeo, Newfoundland and Labrador, solar panels should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 41 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to optimize total annual output by accounting for the sun's changing position throughout the year and the Earth's elliptical orbit around the sun.

Environmental and Weather Challenges

Several significant factors at this coastal Newfoundland location can impede solar energy production:

• Heavy snow accumulation during long winters can completely block solar panels
• Frequent coastal storms and high winds may damage installations
• Salt spray from the nearby ocean can corrode equipment and reduce panel efficiency
• Persistent fog and overcast conditions common in maritime climates reduce solar irradiance
• Ice formation can damage panels and mounting systems

Preventative Installation Measures

To maximize energy production despite these challenges, several protective measures should be implemented. Installing panels at steeper angles helps snow slide off more easily, while reinforced mounting systems can withstand high coastal winds. Using marine-grade materials and anti-corrosion coatings protects against salt damage. Regular maintenance becomes crucial, including frequent cleaning to remove salt deposits and prompt snow removal. Ground-mounted systems may be preferable to rooftop installations as they allow easier access for maintenance and snow clearing. Additionally, investing in high-quality panels designed for harsh weather conditions will ensure longer-term performance and reliability in Burgeo's challenging maritime environment.

Note: The Northern Temperate Zone extends from 35° latitude North up to 66.5° latitude.

So far, we have conducted calculations to evaluate the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential in 569 locations across Canada. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.

Link: Solar PV potential in Canada by location

Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Burgeo

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 47.6179, Longitude: -57.6116 (Burgeo, Canada), based on our analysis of 8760 hourly intervals of solar and meteorological data (one whole year) retrieved for that set of coordinates/location from NASA POWER (The Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources) API:

 

Ideally tilt fixed solar panels 41° South in Burgeo, Canada

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Burgeo, Canada (Lat/Long 47.6179, -57.6116) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 41° South for fixed panel installations.

As the Earth revolves around the Sun each year, the maximum angle of elevation of the Sun varies by +/- 23.45 degrees from its equinox elevation angle for a particular latitude. Finding the exact optimal angle to maximise solar PV production throughout the year can be challenging, but with careful consideration of historical solar energy and meteorological data for a certain location, it can be done precisely.

We use our own calculation, which incorporates NASA solar and meteorological data for the exact Lat/Long coordinates, to determine the ideal tilt angle of a solar panel that will yield maximum annual solar output. We calculate the optimal angle for each day of the year, taking into account its contribution to the yearly total PV potential at that specific location.

Seasonally adjusted solar panel tilt angles for Burgeo, Canada

If you can adjust the tilt angle of your solar PV panels, please refer to the seasonal tilt angles below for optimal solar energy production in Burgeo, Canada. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 41° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
31° South in Summer	51° South in Autumn	62° South in Winter	39° South in Spring

Our recommendations take into account more than just latitude and Earth's position in its elliptical orbit around the Sun. We also incorporate historical solar and meteorological data from NASA's Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) API to assign a weight to each ideal angle for each day based on its historical contribution to overall solar PV potential during a specific season.

This approach allows us to provide much more accurate recommendations than relying solely on latitude, as it considers unique weather conditions in different locations sharing the same latitude worldwide.

Calculate solar panel row spacing in Burgeo, Canada

We've added a feature to calculate minimum solar panel row spacing by location. Enter your panel size and orientation below to get the minimum spacing in Burgeo, Canada.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. Minimum Spacing:
   We add the shadow length to the horizontal space occupied by tilted panels.

This approach ensures maximum space efficiency while avoiding shading during critical times, as the Winter solstice represents the worst-case scenario for shadow length.

Topography for solar PV around Burgeo, Canada

Topography Around Burgeo

Burgeo sits along the rugged southwestern coast of Newfoundland, perched on a series of rocky peninsulas and islands that extend into the Atlantic Ocean. The town itself is built on relatively low-lying terrain, with elevations typically ranging from sea level to about 100 meters above the coastline. The landscape is characterized by the ancient Canadian Shield geology, featuring exposed granite and gneiss bedrock that has been sculpted by glacial action over millennia.

The immediate coastal area around Burgeo consists of numerous small bays, inlets, and rocky headlands. These coastal features create a highly irregular shoreline with many protected harbors and coves. The terrain inland from the coast rises gradually, transitioning from the coastal lowlands into rolling hills and eventually into more mountainous terrain further north and east.

The region displays typical boreal forest characteristics, with extensive areas of black spruce, balsam fir, and birch covering much of the landscape. However, the harsh coastal climate has created significant areas of exposed bedrock and barrens, particularly on elevated and wind-exposed sites. Wetlands, including bogs and fens, are scattered throughout the area, occupying low-lying depressions and poorly drained areas between the rocky outcrops.

Suitable Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most promising locations for large-scale solar installations around Burgeo would be the elevated plateau areas located several kilometers inland from the coast. These areas offer relatively flat to gently rolling terrain that would minimize grading and site preparation costs while providing adequate space for extensive solar arrays. The higher elevation also means these sites are above the frequent coastal fog that can affect areas closer to the ocean.

The barrens and areas of exposed bedrock, while challenging for construction, could offer advantages for solar development. These naturally cleared areas would require minimal vegetation removal and could provide stable foundations for mounting systems anchored directly to the bedrock. The lack of tall vegetation also means reduced shading concerns and lower ongoing maintenance requirements for vegetation management.

Areas to the north and northeast of Burgeo, where the terrain begins to level out before rising into the interior highlands, present good opportunities for development. These locations are far enough from the immediate coastal zone to avoid the most severe weather exposure while remaining accessible via existing road networks. The combination of relatively flat topography and reduced tree cover in these transitional zones makes them particularly attractive for large-scale installations.

Sites with southern or southwestern exposure on gentle slopes would be ideal, as they would maximize solar collection while providing natural drainage. The rocky substrate common throughout the region offers excellent stability for solar mounting systems, though specialized equipment may be required for installation in areas with extensive bedrock exposure.

Canada solar PV Stats as a country

Canada ranks 23rd in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 3,630 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 0.70% of Canada's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 38th in the world). Each year Canada is generating 96 Watts from solar PV per capita (Canada ranks 40th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]

Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Canada?

There are several incentives for businesses to install solar power systems in Canada. These incentives vary by province and can include:

1. Federal Tax Incentives:

• Accelerated Capital Cost Allowance (CCA): Businesses can write off the full cost of clean energy equipment in the year it's put into use.

2. Provincial Programs:

• Ontario: Save on Energy program offers incentives for businesses to reduce energy consumption.
• Alberta: Energy Efficiency Alberta offers rebates for solar PV installations.
• British Columbia: BC Hydro offers a net metering program. BC Hydro also offers rebates for solar panels and battery storage.
• Nova Scotia: Solar Electricity for Community Buildings Program.

3. Net Metering:

Many provinces ofer net metering, allowing businesses to sell excess electricity back to the grid.

4. Grants and Loans:

Some provinces offer grants or low-interest loans for renewable energy projects.

5. Carbon Pricing:

The federal carbon pricing system can make solar more competitive compared to fossil fuels.

6. Municipal Incentives:

Some cities offer additional incentives or property tax reductions for solar installations.

7. Reduced Operating Costs:

While not a direct incentive, businesses can significantly reduce their long-term energy costs.

Note: Incentives and programs can change over time, so businesses should check with local authorities and energy providers for the most up-to-date information.

Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Canada? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!

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Compare this location to others worldwide for solar PV potential

The solar PV analyses available on our website, including this one, are offered as a free service to the global community. Our aim is to provide education and aid informed decision-making regarding solar PV installations.

However, please note that these analyses are general guidance and may not meet specific project requirements. For in-depth, tailored forecasts and analysis crucial for feasibility studies or when pursuing maximum ROI from your solar projects, feel free to contact us; we offer comprehensive consulting services expressly for this purpose.

Helping you assess viability of solar PV for your site

Calculate Your Optimal Solar Panel Tilt Angle: A Comprehensive Guide

Enhance your solar panel's performance with our in-depth guide. Determine the best tilt angle using hard data, debunk common misunderstandings, and gain insight into how your specific location affects solar energy production.