High resolution characterisation of solar variability for two sites in Eastern Canada

•Solar variability has been characterised at two sites in Eastern Canada.•Irradiance time-series collected from sensor networks using 10ms sampling period.•Similarities in solar variability with US sites such as Albuquerque and Oak Ridge.•Measuring cloud-based variability required recording periods of 400ms or shorter.•Cloud speed and plant area have an impact on variability reduction.