Northern solar photovoltaic power generation and heating

Can photovoltaic technology be used in northern communities?

A problem for integrating photovoltaic technology in northern communities is the seasonal availability of the sun. Abundant sunlight in the summer can provide an almost continuous source of electricity that is shortened or non-existent during the cold, dark winter months when electricity demand is highest.

Can solar photovoltaic heating replace coal-fired power plants?

We found that the heating loss from the early retirement of coal-fired power plants is equivalent to the heat provided by installing solar photovoltaic heating on at least 17.8% of European Union rooftops.

Can photovoltaic power be integrated into Community Grid Systems?

Integration of photovoltaic power into community grid systems is being considered in Yukon and the Northwest Territories through pilot projects to gain an understanding of distributed generation issues.

Will district solar heating system be a trend of development in the future?

District solar heating system is expected to be a trend of development in the future. The PV system has been a hot area of research for many years. However, the low power efficiency and high investment are the barriers for the development of PV systems.

What is direct solar power generation?

Direct solar power generation is the direct conversion of solar energy into electricity which is normally done using solar cells. The working principle of solar cells is based on the photovoltaic (PV) effect of semiconductor p–n junction.

What is a Northern Vision?

A NORTHERN VISION: A Stronger North and a Better Canada. Providing energy to meet the needs of Northern households, communities, and industry in Canada’s three territories is difficult, but critically important. Currently, imported fossil fuels provide a large percentage of the heat and power used in Nunavut, Northwest Territories and Yukon.