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Solar PV Analysis of Greater Sudbury, Canada
Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, has varying levels of solar energy production throughout the year due to its location in the Northern Temperate Zone. In simple terms, this means that it's not always sunny enough to produce a lot of solar power.
During the summer and spring seasons, Greater Sudbury can generate quite a bit of solar power - around 5.87 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day per kilowatt (kW) installed in summer and about 5.08 kWh/day/kW in spring. This is because these are typically sunnier times of the year when daylight hours are longer.
However, during autumn and winter seasons, which tend to be cloudier with shorter days, you can expect less electricity output from your solar panels - approximately 2.72 kWh/day/kW in autumn and only about 1.80 kWh/day/kW during winter.
If you're planning on installing fixed solar panels at this location, tilting them at an angle of 40 degrees towards the south would give you maximum sunlight exposure over the course of a year.
As for local factors that could affect your solar production: Greater Sudbury experiences heavy snowfall during winters which could cover up your panels reducing their efficiency significantly. It also has relatively cloudy weather which might limit sunlight availability even on some days outside winter season.
To help ensure greater energy production despite these challenges:
1) Regular maintenance including snow removal from your panels would be necessary especially during winters.
2) Consider installing adjustable tilt mounts for your panels so they can be positioned more directly towards the sun when it's lower in sky during autumn/winter.
3) Using high-efficiency modules can help capture more light even under cloudy conditions.
4) Micro-inverters or power optimizers may also help as they maximize output for each individual panel rather than entire system being limited by lowest-performing panel under shadow or snow cover etc.
5) Lastly, a backup energy source might be necessary to ensure consistent power supply during those periods when solar production is low.
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 Greater Sudbury
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 46.274, Longitude: -80.905 (Greater Sudbury, 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 40° South in Greater Sudbury, Canada
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Greater Sudbury, Canada (Lat/Long 46.274, -80.905) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 40° 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 Greater Sudbury, 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 Greater Sudbury, Canada. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 40° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30° South in Summer | 50° South in Autumn | 60° South in Winter | 38° 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 Greater Sudbury, 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 Greater Sudbury, Canada.
Our calculation method
- Solar Position:
We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination. - Shadow Projection:
We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle. - 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 Greater Sudbury, Canada
Greater Sudbury, also known as Sudbury, is located in the province of Ontario, Canada. The topography of this region is characterized by a mix of flat and hilly terrain with numerous lakes and rivers scattered across the area. It's part of the Canadian Shield, which means it has rocky soil and boreal forest.
The city itself is built around many small rocky mountains with exposed igneous rock from the Canadian Shield. There are also large areas that were once severely damaged by mining operations and acid rain but have since been extensively re-greened.
Regarding solar PV potential, open flat areas with good sun exposure would be best suited for largescale solar PV installations. Areas away from dense forests or tall structures that could block sunlight would be ideal.
The climate in Greater Sudbury experiences cold winters and warm summers. While snow cover during winter months might reduce solar panel efficiency temporarily, overall there are sufficient sunny days throughout the year to make solar energy a viable option.
Given these factors, potentially suitable nearby areas for large-scale solar PV could include flatter regions to both east and west of Greater Sudbury where there may be fewer trees or hills to obstruct sunlight. The exact suitability would depend on more detailed analysis including land ownership status (public vs private), environmental considerations (such as proximity to water bodies or protected lands), infrastructure availability (access roads, power transmission lines etc.), local regulations related to renewable energy projects among others.
It's worth noting that several successful renewable energy projects already exist in Ontario including multiple wind farms and some solar parks indicating favorable policy environment for such initiatives.
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.
- 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.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Tuesday 16th of April 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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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.
