Alberta Solar Power Generation Efficiency

The average power generation as a percentage of capacity for solar farms in Alberta varies based on different sources and time periods:

• Recent Data: According to a 2023 analysis by the Business Renewables Centre-Canada (BRC-Canada), the average capacity factor for solar projects in Alberta is around 20%1.

• Historical Data: A 2021 study by the School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary reported an annual capacity factor of 15% for Alberta's solar generation, with monthly production reaching up to 26% depending on panel technology2.

• Global Comparison: Canada's overall maximum capacity factor for solar power is 6%, which is lower than the 15% in the United States5.

These figures indicate that solar farms in Alberta operate at a capacity factor ranging from 15% to 20%, with some variation based on the specific technology used and the time of year.

Citations:

1. https://businessrenewables.ca/resource/math-renewable-energy
2. https://www.policyschool.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/EFL49A_AB-Electricity_Neff-et-al.pdf
3. https://www.eralberta.ca/projects/details/10-mw-enbridge-sun-simba-power-plant-alberta-solar-one/
4. https://kuby.ca/solar/solar-information/articles/how-much-solar-energy-is-required-to-power-alberta
5. https://www.gem.wiki/Canada_and_solar_power
6. https://organicagcentre.ca/uncategorized/solar-farms-are-boosting-alberta-crop-yields-real-results-inside/
7. https://www.aeso.ca/assets/Uploads/market-and-system-reporting/Annual-Market-Stats-2023_Final.pdf
8. https://achemistinlangley.net/2020/01/02/albertas-renewable-energy-conundrum-in-charts-and-numbers-why-capacity-factors-matter/
9. https://www.aeso.ca/future-of-electricity/albertas-power-system-in-transition
10. https://kuby.ca/solar/solar-information/articles/infographic-albertas-emissions-and-the-need-for-solar
11. https://www.tcenergy.com/siteassets/pdfs/power/alberta-power-marketing/power-market-updates/2023/tce-alberta-power-market-update-july-2023.pdf
12. https://www.aeso.ca/grid/grid-planning/forecasting/wind-and-solar-power-forecasting
13. https://www.aeso.ca/assets/Uploads/market-and-system-reporting/2022_Annual_Market_Stats_Final.pdf
14. https://www.cer-rec.gc.ca/en/data-analysis/energy-commodities/electricity/report/archive/solar-power-economics/economics-solar-power-in-canada-results.html
15. https://www.alberta.ca/climate-smart-agriculture-renewable-energy
16. https://economicdashboard.alberta.ca/dashboard/renewable-energy-generation
17. https://www.pembina.org/reports/2023-08-24-albertas-renewable-energy-moratorium-factsheet.pdf
18. https://www.pembina.org/blog/albertas-new-energy-projects-map
19. http://www.cer-rec.gc.ca/en/data-analysis/energy-markets/provincial-territorial-energy-profiles/provincial-territorial-energy-profiles-alberta.html
20. https://www.policyschool.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/EE-TRENDS-SOLAR-OCT.pdf

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