Solar Energy Maps
Explore solar energy potential across Canada by province and region
Solar Potential Across Canada
Canada has excellent solar potential, with many provinces receiving more annual sunlight than Germany, one of the world's leading solar markets. Solar panels actually perform better in cooler temperatures, making Canada's climate ideal for solar energy production.
Solar potential varies by province and region based on factors like latitude, cloud cover, and seasonal weather patterns. Understanding your region's solar potential helps you make informed decisions about system sizing and expected production.
Get location-specific estimates: Our calculator uses satellite data and local weather patterns to provide accurate production estimates for your exact location.
Sun Hours
Most Canadian provinces receive 1,000-1,600 annual sun hours, comparable to major solar markets
Cooler = Better
Solar panels are more efficient in cooler temperatures, making Canada's climate ideal
Location Matters
Your specific location, roof orientation, and shading all affect solar production
Solar Potential by Province
Regional solar energy data and potential
Ontario
ONExcellent solar potential with good year-round sunlight. Cold winters actually improve panel efficiency.
Alberta
ABOne of the best solar potentials in Canada. High altitude and clear skies maximize solar production.
British Columbia
BCVaries by region. Interior BC has excellent potential, while coastal areas have more cloud cover.
Saskatchewan
SKExcellent solar conditions with long sunny days and minimal cloud cover.
Manitoba
MBGood solar potential with consistent sunlight throughout the year.
Quebec
QCSolar potential varies by region. Southern Quebec has better conditions than northern areas.
Location-Specific Solar Estimates
Our calculator uses satellite imagery and local weather data to provide accurate solar production estimates for your exact address. Get personalized results based on your roof orientation, shading, and local climate.
Get Your Location-Specific EstimatePhotovoltaic Potential and Solar Resource Maps of Canada
Annual south-facing latitude map tilt and detailed solar resource estimates across the country
This web mapping application gives estimates of photovoltaic potential (in kWh/kWp) and mean daily global insolation (in MJ/m² and kWh/m²) for any location in Canada on a 60 arc seconds (~2 km) grid.
The photovoltaic (PV) potential represents the expected lifetime average electricity production (in kWh) produced per kilowatt of installed photovoltaic DC capacity rated at Standard Test Conditions (STC) for grid-connected PV systems without batteries.
Annual South-facing Latitude Tilt
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© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Natural Resources, 2020
Map Coverage
- ✓ Monthly and annual averages
- ✓ Six different PV array orientations
- ✓ Sun-tracking orientation
- ✓ Horizontal orientation
- ✓ Four fixed South-facing orientations
South-facing Fixed Tilt Options
- ✓ Latitude tilt (optimal angle)
- ✓ Vertical (90°)
- ✓ Latitude + 15°
- ✓ Latitude – 15°
- ✓ 3500+ municipality data points
Data can be obtained directly for individual municipalities from a list of over 3,500 municipalities or downloaded for all municipalities at once. Maps are presented for each month and for the entire year.
Methodology and Data Sources
Rigorous scientific foundation for solar resource estimates
Data Source
- Historical Period: 1974-1993 (CERES, Environment and Climate Change Canada)
- Ground Stations: 144 meteorological stations across Canada
- Alaska Data: 8 additional stations (US National Solar Radiation Database, 1961-1990) for regional modeling
- Interpolation: Thin-plate smoothing splines (ANUSPLIN model)
- Grid Resolution: 60 arc seconds (~2 km)
- Model Variables: Position, precipitation, and monthly mean daily global insolation
Performance Ratio
PV potential was estimated using a 0.75 performance ratio, which accounts for overall system losses from:
- • Non-ideal climatic factors
- • Inverter operation losses
- • Wiring and component losses
- • Temperature derating effects
- • Dust, snow, and shading
Represents lifetime average STC-rated DC to AC output for grid-connected systems.
Solar Resource Uncertainty
Two key uncertainty metrics:
- RTGCV: 0.5% to 5.3% (conservative estimate)
- RTMSE: 0.2% to 2.4% (root mean square error)
True error typically lies between RTMSE and RTGCV; varies by PV array orientation.
Photovoltaic Potential Accuracy
Lifetime Annual Estimates: Within ~10% accuracy
- Well-functioning systems: 0.75–0.9 annual PR initially
- Degradation: ~0.6% per year over 25+ year lifespan
- Initial performance typically exceeds lifetime average
Monthly values: Indicative only; exclude temperature, snowfall, and interannual variability.
Development Partners
Collaborative effort across Canadian government research institutions
Canadian Forest Service
Great Lakes Forestry Centre – primary development
CanmetENERGY
Renewable Energy Integration group collaboration
Federal Geospatial Platform
Insolation data by Environment and Climate Change Canada
Citation: © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Natural Resources, 2020. Any reproduction or public use of these maps or datasets should include this attribution.
Scientific References
Peer-reviewed methodology and technical details
Methodology Overview
Pelland, S., McKenney, D. W., Poissant, Y., Morris, R., Lawrence, K., Campbell, K. and Papadopol, P. 2006.The Development of Photovoltaic Resource Maps for Canada, In Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the Solar Energy Society of Canada (SESCI) 2006.
Detailed Scientific Article
McKenney D. W., Pelland S., Poissant Y., Morris R., Hutchinson M, Papadopol P., Lawrence K. and Campbell K., 2008.Spatial insolation models for photovoltaic energy in Canada, Solar Energy 82, pp. 1049–1061.
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