Solar Energy In Canada

In canada the use of solar energy to generate electricity and heat is growing quickly and is helping reduce pollution related to energy production.

Solar energy in canada.

Despite canada s cold climate and high latitudes which get less direct sunlight than mid latitudes solar power technologies are used in many places from household rooftops to large power plants. These resources include moving water wind biomass solar geothermal and ocean energy. 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. Canada is a world leader in the production and use of energy from renewable resources.

Alberta is said to have some of the best sunlight in the country for solar. The largest solar farms in canada are sol luce kingston and the renewable energy park both with 100 mw of capacity. This is for good reasons. 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.

Average provincial solar installation costs can be found in the figure below. Liquids biofuels liquid biofuels are enhanced biomass derived fuels that can take the form of a liquid such as ethanol or renewable diesel fuels. Canada with its large landmass and diversified geography has substantial renewable resources that can be used to produce energy. Southern saskatchewan alberta and manitoba receive more solar irradiation than anywhere else in canada.

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. The average installation cost of solar power in canada is 3 01 watt or 22 500 for a 7 5kw system. In 2001 there were more than 12 000 residential solar water heating systems and 300 commercial industrial solar hot water systems in use. Notably solar energy in the country has been 20 which totals 1 804 mw.

In this file photo a solar field can be seen situated directly adjacent to the trans canada highway near brooks alta. The solar energy industry is having rapid growth in canada. 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. 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.

Solar incentives and rebates in canada in canada and around the world solar generated electricity is becoming more and more popular.