Solar Energy In Canada

Canada is a world leader in the production and use of energy from renewable resources.

Solar energy in canada. April is the most productive month for solar power canada average 122kwh kw mo and december is the least productive month canada average 46kwh kw mo. These systems presently comprise a small fraction of canada s energy use but some government studies suggest they could make up as much as five per cent of the. In 2001 there were more than 12 000 residential solar water heating systems and 300 commercial industrial solar hot water systems in use. Southern saskatchewan alberta and manitoba receive more solar irradiation than anywhere else in canada.

The largest solar facility is the loyalist solar project with 54 mw capacity which is undergoing construction in ontario. Average provincial solar installation costs can be found in the figure below. Canada has substantial solar energy resources due to its vast area. The cost of pv modules has dropped more than tenfold in the past decade making solar panels not just affordable but also cost effective in offsetting the price of electricity.

In canada the use of solar energy to generate electricity and heat is growing quickly and is helping reduce pollution related to energy production. The largest solar farms in canada are sol luce kingston and the renewable energy park both with 100 mw of capacity. The solar energy industry is having rapid growth in canada. Alberta is said to have some of the best sunlight in the country for solar.

Canada with its large landmass and diversified geography has substantial renewable resources that can be used to produce energy. However the cost of solar power changes depending on the size of the system required your eligibility for solar incentives the type of equipment used and even on the province that you live in. Notably solar energy in the country has been 20 which totals 1 804 mw. Historically the main applications of solar energy technologies in canada have been non electric active solar system applications for space heating water heating and drying crops and lumber.

These resources include moving water wind biomass solar geothermal and ocean energy. This is for good reasons. Liquids biofuels liquid biofuels are enhanced biomass derived fuels that can take the form of a liquid such as ethanol or renewable diesel fuels. The average installation cost of solar power in canada is 3 01 watt or 22 500 for a 7 5kw system.

The quiet prairie landscape of vulcan county a rural stretch of southern alberta is set to become the site of canada s largest solar energy facility the 400 mw travers solar project.