.svg)
Solar PV Analysis of Saint-Tite, Canada
The place we're talking about is Saint-Tite, Quebec, Canada. It's up in the Northern Temperate Zone where it can get pretty cold. We want to know how good this location would be for setting up solar panels and generating electricity all year round.
First, let's look at how much power you could expect to generate each day for every kilowatt of solar panels you have installed:
- In summer, you'd get around 5.86 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day.
- In autumn, that drops to about 2.81 kWh/day.
- Winter is even lower with just 1.73 kWh/day.
- Spring picks back up a bit with around 5.23 kWh/day.
So clearly, summer and spring are the best times of year for generating solar energy at this location because they provide the most sunlight hours and intensity.
To make the most out of your solar panels throughout the year here in Saint-Tite, Quebec, it's recommended that you tilt them at an angle of 40 degrees facing south. This position will allow them to catch as much sunlight as possible over all four seasons.
Now let's talk about any challenges or obstacles that might interfere with your ability to produce solar power here:
Saint-Tite experiences long winters with heavy snowfall which can cover the panels reducing their efficiency or potentially damaging them if not properly maintained; so regular cleaning and maintenance are essential during these months especially after heavy snowfalls.
Also, because winters are quite cloudy there may be less direct sunlight hitting your panels than what our numbers above suggest - meaning actual production could be a bit lower.
As far as preventative measures go:
1) Install a system that allows easy access for clearing off snow without risking damage to yourself or the equipment.
2) Consider using black-coloured frames which absorb more heat from sun rays thereby helping melt away any accumulated snow faster.
3) To combat lack of sunlight during winter months, you could consider using solar panels that perform well under low light conditions or even install extra panels to compensate for the diminished sun exposure.
Remember, these are just suggestions and actual results can vary based on a number of factors including specific panel technology and local weather variations.
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 Saint-Tite
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 46.7304, Longitude: -72.5692 (Saint-Tite, 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 Saint-Tite, Canada
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Saint-Tite, Canada (Lat/Long 46.7304, -72.5692) 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 Saint-Tite, 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 Saint-Tite, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31° South in Summer | 50° South in Autumn | 61° 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 Saint-Tite, 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 Saint-Tite, 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 Saint-Tite, Canada
Saint-Tite, Canada, is located in the province of Quebec and is part of the Mauricie region. The topography around Saint-Tite is characterized by a mix of flat plains and rolling hills with forests and numerous bodies of water including rivers and lakes. The area experiences a humid continental climate with warm summers and cold, snowy winters.
When considering large-scale solar PV installations, it's important to consider factors like sunlight exposure (solar irradiance), land availability, proximity to power grids for energy transmission, as well as environmental impacts.
Given that Saint-Tite has a good amount of sunlight during summer months but less so in winter due to its northern latitude location, seasonal variation in solar power generation can be expected.
The flat plains around Saint-Tite could potentially be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations given their ease for construction. However, this would need to be balanced against other uses for this land such as agriculture or housing. Additionally, any proposed sites would need to have minimal shading from trees or other structures.
Proximity to existing power infrastructure would also be an important factor since remote locations could necessitate expensive additions to the grid network.
It's also critical that any large-scale project undergo an environmental impact assessment before proceeding because these projects can have significant effects on local ecosystems through habitat disruption or changes in land use patterns.
In conclusion while there may be potential areas suited for largescale solar PV around Saint-Tite based on general geographical features specific site suitability will require more detailed study taking into account multiple factors beyond just topography.
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!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Friday 21st of June 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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.
