Canada’s solar energy initiative is an example of the significant steps taken to protect our planet. Just like many other countries, Canada is investing in renewable power sources to protect and improve life on earth.
Various Canadian industries use this form of renewable energy, including cannabis cultivation. They can now raise cannabis from seeds bought through Homegrown Cannabis Co. indoors using solar power.
Let’s inspect what photovoltaic energy entails and how the Great White North has grown in this area.
What is Solar Energy?
Solar energy is a process of using sunlight to create electricity. Not only is it renewable but also inexhaustible.
The fascinating thing about this option is that harnessing power is possible even on a cloudy day. It’s a resource that replaces fossil fuel which, when burned, is harmful.
Generating heat or power from the sun is a much safer option than the toxic emissions created by air pollution. These pollutants contribute to global warming and greenhouse gas, damaging the earth and our health.
How is Renewable Energy from the Sun Created?
There are two sources used to generate solar energy. Once harnessed, the different systems create heat, electricity, lighting, cooling, and others.
Solar Photovoltaic (PV)
Solar Photovoltaic, or PV, uses direct sunlight to manufacture electricity. This method uses solar cells, also known as electronic devices. Connecting a few of these creates panels, a familiar type of geothermal power.
PV is available in various sizes and used as DIY kits or fitted on rooftops by specialists. Connecting a few panels makes up arrays that connect to an electrical grid and form part of a PV system.
Mirrors
Mirrors are another way to harness the sun’s rays for power. The sunlight reflects onto a thermal receiver and absorbs it. After it’s converted to heat, a steam generator then creates the electricity.
The Solar Energy Market in Canada in 2022
Canada’s movement in the geothermal energy market has been a slow and steady one. According to the 2022 Canadian solar report (which includes wind) released by the Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA), the solar energy industry increased greatly during this period.
The country’s wind energy capacity increased by 15 GW, while PV energy grew by over 4 GW. This is an increase of 25.9% of the capacity in 2022 alone.
Leading Solar Energy Cities in 2022
There are many cities across Canada with great solar energy potential. The ones that stand out above the rest are the Western part of the country. The provinces; Alberta and Saskatchewan are the leaders, with Quebec, Ontario, and Nova Scotia following.
These parts are by far the sunniest areas in the country. Below is a list of their growth for 2022:
- Alberta – 1,391 MW
- Saskatchewan – 387 MW
- Quebec – 24 MW
- Ontario – 10 MW
- Nova Scotia – 2 MW
The following graph reflects these provinces’ growth:
Alberta
This city has a distinct structure in the power industry, making it a leader in developing renewable energy. It’s a deregulated sector that has become competitive, attracting investors and off-takers.
Concerning investing in geothermal energy, Alberta is becoming a sought-after region. The growth in this sector is mostly concentrated in the western part of Canada, specifically in 2022.
Alberta might become a frontrunner in the wind and solar power industry by 2025.
In this province, many projects assist with providing renewable energy to the government, companies, and organizations.
By doing this, these entities are forfeiting purchasing electricity from their local utilities.
Saskatchewan
This prairie region is another area where residents can save on electricity bills. The amount of sunlight that Saskatchewan receives is ideal for harvesting energy.
It’s also one of the fastest ways of reducing the carbon footprint. Not only is it a reliable source of energy but also very cost-effective.
Quebec
Although Quebec has generated some power from solar solutions, its primary energy source is hydro. This city generates 94% of its electricity from a hydro plant located in northern Quebec.
However, it threatens the ecosystems, making PV power a much better option.
Ontario
Ontario’s solar installation for 2022 is powering almost 517,000 homes. In the most populated part of Canada, it’s worth investing in this renewable energy source.
Ontario isn’t one of the top-ranked areas when it comes to exposure to sunlight throughout the year. However, the rays it receives are sufficient to warrant geothermal panel installation.
Nova Scotia
This city has one of the best solar rebate programs in the country. Although wind is a significant source of renewable energy, photovoltaics is also increasing significantly.
It’s also resulting in savings for both businesses and residents.
Canada’s Annual Growth Statistics
A large percentage of Canadian solar installations occurred in 2022, with 90% in Alberta. Ontario also had an increase in renewable energy. PV is currently powering many homes from 2022 installations.
This year’s addition to sustainable power accounts for over a quarter of the current capacity. The increase in this form of energy contributed extensively to job creation.
The employment growth is because of new infrastructure, maintenance of these facilities, and personnel for day-to-day operations.
Both solar and wind have increased employment by 86% during 2022. Canada still has many opportunities available to grow this industry even further.
Have a look at the steady growth depicted below:
Top Solar Panel Manufacturers & Installers – 2022
An individual with the help of a DIY kit can easily do small installations of solar panels. When it comes to larger requirements, you need to enlist the help of a larger entity.
The following are the top 10 solar panel installers for 2022, in no particular order:
Arborus Consulting
Arborus has installed many renewable energy projects. They have an outstanding track record with over 30 years of experience.
Azgard
This entity has a popular DIY option and is reported to have low costs. Besides installation, Azgard offers design and maintenance help too.
Canadian Solar
Canadian Solar provides a service locally and across the world. This company operates on six continents and has over 18 years of experience. They supply affordable high-quality equipment.
Canadian Solar earnings have increased during 2022 from $74 million in the 2nd quarter to $78 million in the third. It more than doubled from 2021’s third quarter of $35 million.
Gorkon Industries
Gorkon’s services include consulting, development, engineering/design, IPC, and Turnkey projects. They work with key role players to keep abreast of the latest technology.
GP Joule
GP Joule not only specializes in geothermal but in other forms of renewable energy too. They design and manufacture a tracking system that can follow the sun’s path.
Illuma Energy
Located in Alberta, Illuma Energy has over 15 years of experience in PV, biomass, and renewables. They offer solar in Canada to residential, business, and other industries.
This includes; installation, net-metering, off-grid and battery storage, energy auditing, and management controls.
Quadra Power Inc.
Quadra Power is a company specializing in PV installation and managing big and small projects in Ontario. Their services include fitting photovoltaic on both rooftops and ground.
They also partner with other energy companies in providing high-level project development.
Solar Plantation
Installing renewable energy systems since 2012, Solar Plantation specializes in ground-mounted solutions. They’re the only company in the western part of Canada that uses local pile-driving equipment for their PV Projects.
Solar Incentives in Canada
Reducing the carbon footprint has become crucial in Canada and the rest of the world. Not only does geothermal energy help with climate change, but it has cost-saving benefits as well.
Many countries have incentive programs to encourage the transition to solar power. Let’s have a look at what initiatives Canada has in place:
Federal Incentives
There are a few provinces where the only incentives for renewable energy are the Federal ones. Every homeowner receives a rebate of $5,000, encouraging them to equip their houses with energy-efficient devices like PV.
They can also receive an interest-free loan of up to $40,000 to assist with the required modifications. This credit is repayable within ten years.
Before making these improvements, the residents need to inform the government, which conducts a pre-audit. They perform another inspection after the modifications needed.
The property owners also receive a $600 rebate for the costs of these audits.
Incentives in various provinces
The following is a list of reward initiatives in certain Canadian provinces, recorded at the end of 2022. The information provided may have changed in the meantime because of the constant developments in the industry.
- Alberta
This western province has a few programs to inspire residents to move to renewable energy sources. One such incentive strategy is net-metering. The program is a billing process that credits the owners for adding electricity to the power grid.
Another approach used in this area is the Municipal Program. This initiative is where municipalities apply for a rebate on installed PVs. Depending on the size of the installation, they can save up to 30%.
There are also individual towns with reward systems for both residential and business.
- Nova Scotia
The Nova Scotia province is said to have one of the best solar rebates in the country. When it comes to net-metering, their program allows for systems of up to 100 kW. Residents can receive a credit on their bill if they have excess energy production.
Consumers are to use this allowance within a year. Thereafter, if a surplus remains, they receive a cash refund. Nova Scotia also has a SolarHomes Rebate that rewards almost 25% of the cost.
- Ontario
In Ontario, a similar net metering rebate system exists. Consumers receive a credit on energy costs if they donate their surplus electricity to the distribution system.
The excess can reduce their usage charges, and any remaining credit expires within a year if unused. The balance is then reset to zero.
- Quebec
The net-metering system in this province allows for the generation of renewable energy for up to 20 kW for a single phase and 50 kW for a 3-phase. Excess in production is kept as credit and used when regenerating falls short.
Credits expire after two years.
- Saskatchewan
Although Saskatchewan is one of the sunniest places in Canada, their incentive program is not very impressive. Where other areas have more than just the ‘net-metering’ incentive and perhaps an additional program, Saskatchewan only has one.
Residents can generate their own power through renewable technology. They can also apply for facilities that generate up to 100 kW. The generated energy is stored on the grid and used towards their current usage.
Any surplus is converted to credit and kept for future accounts. These don’t expire and only fall away when the bill ceases to exist.
In Closing
Canada’s solar energy resources have so much more to offer. With all the initiatives and programs in place, they can successfully access all those available opportunities.
Already the growth from 2021 to 2022 has been so significant that CanREA expects an additional boost of 2 GW between 2023 and 2025. As impressive as this increase has been, Canada may not meet their goal of zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
If they were to achieve this goal, more action is needed and many in the industry are ready to take on the challenge.
In the fight against the climate crisis, Willie Jiang believes that content marketing can push the energy revolution along at a faster pace. Having helped countless brands grow their organic traffic by 10X and became the CMO of SolarFeeds.com, he is sharing his insights with the solar energy industry. If you want to publish your articles on SolarFeeds Magazine, click here.