Canada experiences over 8,000 fires annually, impacting solar energy production in the West. Drifting smoke south from Canada can block sunlight, causing significant clean-energy losses.
Solar experts report that the smoke cover on panels can reduce performance by 15-50%!
Recently, Calgary has seen a notable rise in smoky conditions over the past 30 years.
So, how will smoke cover affect solar energy production in Calgary?
Let’s delve deeper into the details.
Wildfire In Western Canada Overview
The fires have various causes: For example, the Parker Lake fire near Fort Nelson began when high winds knocked over a tree onto a power line, igniting a blaze.
Officials in British Columbia suggest human activity as a potential cause for some fires, while the blaze in Cranberry Portage is believed to have started after a lightning strike.
According to experts, two common wildfire sources in Canada are lightning and human activity.
Large storms can cause lightning that ignites multiple fires, and climate change worsens the situation. Warming temperatures in particularly dry regions, like the northwest provinces, make these areas more vulnerable to wildfires.
This increasing frequency and intensity of fires have profound implications for solar energy production and overall environmental health.
How Smoke Affects Solar Power Production
Solar energy originates from the sun’s nuclear fusion, where hydrogen atoms collide and merge to form helium, releasing vast amounts of energy.
This energy, harnessed through various technologies, is a clean and inexhaustible resource.
One commonly used technology is photovoltaic (PV) cells, which convert sunlight into electricity.
The performance of these cells depends on the light’s intensity and quality, and their efficiency measures how well they convert light energy into electrical power.
However, wildfires can significantly impact the efficiency of solar panels. Intense fires send smoke and hot air into the troposphere, where it cools and expands, resulting in pyrocumulus clouds.
These dense clouds and haze can cause overcast conditions or even complete cloud cover, reducing the amount of sunlight reaching the panels.
Smoke particles scatter and absorb sunlight, decreasing the amount of solar radiation that reaches the panels.
This phenomenon can persist even when the smoke is high in the atmosphere, and ground-level air quality seems unaffected.
This reduction in sunlight directly affects the output of solar panels for homes and commercial buildings.
Wildfire smoke also causes fluctuations in solar panel output, known as the “wiggle effect,” which challenges energy grid stability, especially as reliance on solar energy grows.
What Smoke Cover Means For Solar Power In Calgary
Wildfire smoke has had a significant impact on Calgary’s solar panels. On smoky days, energy output from solar panels can decrease by as much as two-thirds.
Sean McCann, a Calgarian who installed solar panels in 2018, noted that his power generation dropped from 10 kilowatt-hours on sunny days to about three kilowatt-hours during heavy smoke.
This reduction is primarily due to smoke particles scattering and absorbing sunlight, which drastically reduces the amount of solar radiation reaching the panels.
The issue not only affects residential users but also larger-scale solar energy facilities across the city. Researchers are investigating the long-term impacts and potential mitigation strategies for these disruptions.
Similarly, a 2018 study by Nobre and Peters found that haze affects different solar cells variably.
While standard silicon panels performed best, perovskite cells suffered the most loss compared to gallium arsenide and cadmium telluride cells.
These impacts outline the need for better prediction models and collaboration across disciplines to address the effects of wildfire smoke on solar energy production.
Ready To Install Solar Panels in Calgary?
Wildfire smoke has been a persistent issue in Calgary for the past 30 years, yet solar installations in the city remain promising, with residential solar capacity nearly tripling since 2019.
Although heavy smoke can reduce the efficiency of solar cells, using premium solar cells can significantly lessen these impacts.
Overcome challenges and maximize solar energy production by working with solar experts.
Panel Upgrade Experts offer customized solutions and strategies to optimize the efficiency and reliability of your solar installations.
Partner with our specialists to fully leverage solar energy, even in the increasing wildfire smoke.
FAQs
Can solar panels work on cloudy days?
Yes, solar panels can still operate on cloudy and overcast days, but at a reduced rate.
How much are solar panels in Calgary?
The cost of solar panel installation in Calgary can start from $15,000 to $30,000 before grants, depending on the number of panels, layout, and necessary electrical upgrades.
Are solar panels covered by fire insurance in Calgary?
Solar panel insurance is generally covered under standard homeowners insurance policies, as the panels are deemed permanent attachments like patios or security systems. Consult your solar provider for specific details.