Kirkland, Quebec, Canada, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, is a decent location for generating solar energy throughout the year. However, it's not ideal because of the significant seasonal variations in sunlight.

In simple terms, during summer and spring months (when days are longer), you can expect to generate more electricity from your solar panels. In fact, on average you could produce about 5.88 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in summer and 5.27 kWh/day in spring for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power.

On the other hand, during autumn and winter months (when days are shorter), your panels won't be as productive due to less available sunlight. You might only get about 2.84 kWh/day in autumn and even less at just 1.81 kWh/day in winter per kW of installed solar power.

For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting your panels at an angle of 39 degrees towards the South will give you maximum overall production across all seasons.

As far as environmental or weather factors that could potentially hinder solar production here go - Kirkland does experience snowfall during winter which could cover your panels reducing their effectiveness significantly if not cleared off promptly. It also has some cloudy or overcast days throughout the year which would reduce output on those particular days too.

To overcome these potential issues: make sure there's easy access to safely clear snow off your panels without damaging them; consider installing sensors that alert when they're covered with snow; have a backup energy source for those times when output may be lower than usual; consider using higher efficiency PV modules that perform better under low light conditions; ensure good ventilation around modules so they don't overheat on hot sunny summer days thereby maintaining their performance levels.

Remember though while these measures can help increase output somewhat - nothing will change the fact that there'll simply be fewer hours of sunlight during winter months compared to summer. So, it's always important to size your solar system based on your lowest expected output if you're relying solely on it for power.

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 Kirkland

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 45.4522, Longitude: -73.8681 (Kirkland, 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:

Average 5.88kWh/day in Summer.

Average 2.84kWh/day in Autumn.

Average 1.81kWh/day in Winter.

Average 5.27kWh/day in Spring.

Ideally tilt fixed solar panels 39° South in Kirkland, Canada

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Kirkland, Canada (Lat/Long 45.4522, -73.8681) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 39° 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.

At Latitude: 45.4522, Longitude: -73.8681, the ideal angle to tilt panels is 39° South

Seasonally adjusted solar panel tilt angles for Kirkland, 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 Kirkland, Canada. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 39° South tilt angle throughout the year.

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 Kirkland, 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 Kirkland, 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 Kirkland, Canada

Kirkland is located in the province of Quebec, Canada. The topography of Kirkland and its surrounding areas can be described as relatively flat with some gentle hills. It's part of the St. Lawrence Lowlands, which is characterized by flat plains and low rolling hills.

The area is also dotted with numerous bodies of water including Lake Saint-Louis which lies to the south. The region has a mixed forest zone, with both coniferous and deciduous trees present.

For large-scale solar PV projects, open and flat areas are ideal as they allow for easy installation and maximum sunlight exposure. Areas that are not heavily forested or shaded would also be suitable to avoid unnecessary tree cutting or shadowing on panels.

In terms of specific locations near Kirkland that may be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations:

1) Agricultural lands: These tend to be open and exposed to sunlight most of the day making them excellent sites for a solar farm installation.

2) Industrial zones: In nearby cities like Baie-D'Urfé or Pointe-Claire where there might be large rooftops or unused spaces in industrial parks could also serve as potential sites for installing solar panels.

3) Unused public lands: Any available public land around highways or other infrastructure could potentially host a solar farm if it meets environmental regulations.

However, before any decision can be made about setting up a large scale Solar PV project, detailed surveys need to conducted taking into account various factors such as local climate data (solar irradiance), land use restrictions, environmental impact assessments etc.

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:

• 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.

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

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

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

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!

Citation Guide

Article Details for Citation

Tell Us About Your Work

We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.

Feeling generous?

Share this with your friends!

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.

©Copyright Aaron Robinson and profileSOLAR.com 2019-2025

Home
Solar: United States
Solar: Worldwide
Solar Panel Tilt Angle
Login

Privacy
Disclaimer
Impressum
Contact Us