Solar Energy Potential in British Columbia Geography 376 Project Alan Wiebe

Abstract  Determine topographic suitability of small-scale solar energy in BC  Identify remote areas in BC that are possibly well-suited for small-scale solar energy

Introduction  Three main categories of solar energy are: –Heating and cooling, –Producing electricity, –Chemical processes

Introduction  Advantages of solar energy over conventional sources: –Produced at nearly no charge –Requires no connection to local grid –Unlimited energy supply –Produces no emissions –Displaces use of conventional energy –Open for all to harness!

Introduction  Three forms of solar energy (as per Natural Resources Canada): –Active solar energy  use of a medium (air, water) –Passive solar energy  strategic placing of windows –Photovoltaic energy  semiconductor devices  energy conversion

Introduction  Economic viability –most viable in remote locations –decreasing costs of production  (since 1980s) –approx. 1/6 th of population of BC lives in rural areas (~600,000)

Methodology  Data used –2001 Census data –Elevation data (DEM) –Roads, rail lines –Lakes, wetlands, parks –Solar radiation (shortwavc.aml)

Methodology  Area Omissions –lakes, wetlands, parks (no buffer) –roads, rail lines (buffered by 10m)

Methodology – Area Omissions

Methodology - Criteria Evaluation  Aspect –Scaled Aspect = [Cos(Aspect)+1]*5  Solar Radiation –Average for year  Population Density –Census Division (28)  Transmission Line Proximity –Linear distance (up to 560 km)

Methodology – Factor Weighing

Methodology  Ran 6 scenarios –Assigning different weights to 4 variables

Methodology – Model Comparison

Discussion  Data Issues –Missing data –Inconsistent/unknown age of sets –Resolution (raster and vector) –Solar radiation data – AML script

Discussion  Criteria Evaluation –Assumptions (linear/non-linear relations) –Low score-value range –Actual value classification  Possible Scenarios –Arbitrary factor weights  Results –Compounding errors