Canada has set a goal for 2050 to hit the target for net-zero emissions. It is certainly ambitious, but definitely within reach by investing in the right mix of sustainable and renewable energy technologies. Canada’s Energy Regulator is looking at a diverse array of energy sources, including nuclear, natural gas, wind, hydroelectric, and solar, of course. Of these sources, the one that could provide the most immediate and direct benefits to Canadians from coast to coast is solar power. What does this mean? Well, there’s a lot to unpack here, and we’re going to break it all down for you!
The first thing to note is that solar power technology has advanced dramatically in recent years. Photovoltaic solar panels are much more efficient than ever, with far greater energy production capacity and lower costs than solar panels of the past. Furthermore, batteries and energy storage capacity have also progressed thanks to innovations in materials and design, allowing many solar power system owners to become completely energy-independent.
When looking at the efforts of other countries around the world, some shining examples of solar power innovators include Germany and Australia. Comparatively, Canada gets just as much sun for much of the year. So why aren’t we utilizing solar power to the same extent as these other clean energy leaders? There are several reasons for this, and there are many strategies that can be adopted based on the experiences of countries like these. If we truly want to reduce our carbon footprint, it’s time to look at these ideas much more closely.
It's important to recognize that there is still skepticism about alternative energies such as wind and solar. However, it’s even more important to understand that most of the reasons behind this skepticism are related to superficial aesthetic reasons or misconceptions about how the technologies work. For example, common apprehensions about wind power include the appearance of turbines, how much noise they may produce, and their effects on bird populations. Many studies have been conducted over the years, and most of these misconceptions have been thoroughly debunked.
Regarding solar power, some of the most common objections include myths about solar power not working during cloudy days, snow covering the panels in the winter, and perceptions of low production capacity. Much like the myths about wind power, these solar power misconceptions can all be put to rest. As a matter of fact, we’ve recently written an informative article on the very topic of solar power myths. We’d encourage you to check it out! You can find it here: Solar Power Myths, Busted
Fortunately, ongoing research and the sharing of educational information and facts about alternative energy sources are helping to reduce the prevalence of these myths, and the shift towards renewable energy continues to gain momentum globally. Canada is no exception. As countries around the globe continue to explore sustainable energy solutions, solar power continues to emerge as a viable and promising option. Let’s now take a closer look into the cities with the highest solar potential, compare Canada’s solar adoption with leading countries, and discuss how other renewable energy sources, like wind and hydro, complement solar power. We obtained many of these key insights from a fascinating and immensely informative article published by CBC entitled ‘What if Canada Invested in Solar Energy?’. Additionally, we’ll showcase some of the most popular products and solar power kits from Solar Power Store that can help you get the benefits of solar energy for your home or business.
The Potential of Solar Power in Canada
Canada is well known for its vast landscapes and diverse climate conditions, offering significant potential for solar energy production. Despite the common perception that Canada’s cold climate and winter snowfall would hinder solar energy generation, the reality is quite different. Looking at some key statistics helps shed some light on why this is the case.
Canada has approx. 500,000 commercial and industrial buildings. It has another 15+ million residential buildings. This translates into an exceptional amount of rooftop surface area available to adopt solar panels. Furthermore, in some provinces and territories, the hours of sunlight are comparable to very sunny places such as Australia, reinforcing the fact that solar power is indeed a viable energy solution for Canadians.
CanmetENERGY researchers considered all buildings in Canada to evaluate how many viable roofs exist in the country that would be suitable for solar power. Apartment buildings and condos are excluded from the total, as well as gables, skylights, and chimneys. Additionally, north-facing sides and areas that were too shaded were excluded from the total as they received lower levels of total sunlight exposure. At the end of the day, Canada currently has a vast 657 km2 of good rooftop space for solar power. This is an area roughly equal to the entire city of Toronto. That’s a lot of space we aren’t utilizing for renewable energy!
When looking at the country province by province, Ontario is the largest of them that has the most viable rooftop space for solar power, coming in at 41% of all potential space. Coming in next are Quebec and Alberta, both taking up 19% of the total area.
Canada’s Sunniest Cities
Canada is a big country that experiences different weather depending on the city you live in. So, let’s look at just how different these cities rank when it comes to average overall sunlight hours. Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, and Winnipeg all receive an impressive amount of annual sunlight, making them ideal locations for solar power systems. Each of these cities enjoys over 2,300 hours of sunlight per year, surpassing many other regions in Canada.
Did you know that Los Angeles receives 1980 hours of maximum sunlight in a year? Regina is right behind them, receiving 1815 hours!
The areas receiving the least amount of sunlight are typically in the far east and far west points of the country. Even so, major metropolitan cities such as Vancouver and Toronto have more than enough solar potential to make investing in solar power systems a very smart move.
Solar Power and Snowfall Effects
Further adding to the efficiency of solar power systems, double-sided solar power panels (known as bifacial panels) work to capture sunlight on both sides of the panel. These panels are perfect for Canadian climates, as they collect direct energy and reflected light from the surrounding area. Even if some snow does happen to accumulate on the top side of your solar panel, the underside will continue to capture sunlight from diffused and reflected light and will promptly melt away the remaining snow. The ability to collect energy from both surfaces of solar panels makes a huge difference in the total amount of energy gathered by the panel, resulting in a 15-20% increase. On average, these bifacial panels only cost about 5% more than single-sided panels, making them an obvious choice for maximizing solar production.
Where Canada Stands in Global Solar Adoption
When comparing Canada to other countries leading in solar adoption, there is most certainly room for growth. Countries like Germany, China, and the United States exceed Canada in terms of currently installed solar capacity. However, Canada is working hard to catch up! Efforts to increase awareness among Canadians and the introduction of government incentives to promote renewable energy adoption are helping to drive a dramatic increase in solar power production in Canada.
Our vast landmass and varied climate offer unique opportunities and challenges for solar energy development. A growing emphasis on sustainability and reducing our overall and individual carbon footprint has spurred investment and interest in renewable energy infrastructure from coast to coast, including solar power systems.
Currently, there are around 70,000 photovoltaic systems attached to the grid in Canada. This only accounts for 1.7% of the total energy production from all sources in Canada, which is extremely low when compared to the potential of solar. Canada’s energy mix consists of about 70% renewable sources. This includes geothermal energy, solar power, wind energy, bioenergy, and hydroelectricity. Certain provinces, namely Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Nova Scotia, still rely primarily on fossil fuels for the majority of their energy. Conversely, Quebec, Newfoundland & Labrador, and Manitoba, have their electricity supplied by 99% decarbonized sources.
Right now, we are seeing a massive shift in focus and attention to alternative energy sources, partly due to the fact that the cost-per-kilowatt of technology needed to capture energy from these sources continues to drop significantly. Solar power technology alone has reduced by 90% in cost-per-kilowatt in just the last twenty years. It’s clear that there’s never been a better time to make a move towards renewable energy!
In addition to lower costs of equipment, solar power technology is more reliable and durable than ever. Most solar power panels are guaranteed for 25+ years of efficient operation, with many able to function properly for 30 years or more. What does this mean in terms of payback time for the average Canadian? That’s tough to say exactly, but there are some benchmarks that can give a close approximation. For example, in Toronto, it would take about 10 years for the savings from solar panels to pay off the total upfront cost. Depending on where you live, the total length of time it will take you to pay off the solar panels can vary, particularly for those areas where utility costs are higher. As utility rates continue to rise, these payback periods are sure to get shorter and shorter every year.
When you take a step back and look at it this way, you will have 15-20+ years after the payback period where you’ll never see an electric bill. In case that’s not enough of a reason to make the switch to solar, there are also many incentive and rebate programs available across Canada at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels that can shorten the payback period even more. For example, the Greener Homes Loan currently offered by the federal government can cover up to $40,000 in solar power system costs, at a 0% interest rate for 10 years. For more information of what rebates and incentives are available in your area, check out our guide to Canadian Solar Power Incentives.
Renewable Energy Sources Work Better in Tandem
As Canada moves closer to its goal of net-zero emissions, it becomes clear that the solution does not lie in just one particular source of power. Rather, the strategic combination of different renewable sources in each area of the country to get the maximum energy production with the greatest efficiency and reliability. To this end, solar power is a critical element in the future of Canadian energy production. Solar power works side by side with other renewable energy sources such as wind and hydro to ensure we can meet our growing energy needs.
For example, when solar production is at its peak during sunny days, the demand for hydroelectric power can be reduced. This would allow hydroelectric dams and reservoirs to store more water, effectively acting as natural energy storage systems. Similarly, wind energy tends to be more abundant during winter months, and can complement solar power which may be more abundant in summer months. This type of logical approach to blending sources of renewable energy helps ensure a steady supply to meet demand throughout the year.
Exploring Solar Power Kits
If you’re interested in adopting solar energy for your home or residence, you should look into the simple solution of a complete solar power kit. These comprehensive kits are configured to meet various needs, whether you are looking to go completely off-grid, connect to the grid, or opt for a hybrid solution. Additionally, these kits contain everything needed for installation, making them an easy, uncomplicated, and effective solar power solution.
Check out our range of complete solar power kits here!
Off-Grid Solar Power Kits
Off-grid solar power kits are the perfect solution for remote locations or those looking to live independently of the energy grid. These kits include everything you need to generate and store your own electricity, providing a reliable power source in areas without access to the main electrical grid.
Explore our off-grid solar power kits to find the perfect solution for your needs.
Grid-Tied Solar Power Kits
Grid-tied solar power kits are great for homeowners who are looking to reduce their electricity bills while having the security of staying connected to the grid. These systems allow you to generate your own electricity and sell any excess power back to the grid in exchange for credits on your utility bills, providing an excellent return on investment. Additionally, you can continue to access the power grid on those occasions when your electricity demands may exceed the power being generated from your solar power panels.
Check out our grid-tied solar power kits for more details.
Hybrid Solar Power Kits
Hybrid solar power kits combine the best of both worlds. They offer the benefits of a grid-tied system with the backup capabilities of off-grid solutions. These kits ensure you have consistent power even during grid outages, which makes them a very versatile and reliable option for any home.
Discover our range of hybrid solar power kits today.
The Potential of Solar Power
Solar power in Canada has immense potential. Despite any challenges posed by our diverse climate, there is ample sunshine to power our daily needs. Cities across the country, from Halifax to Vancouver, receive lots of sunlight every day. This makes solar power a very feasible and attractive option for both businesses and residences. Snowfall has a very minimal impact on solar power production, further underscoring the viability of this renewable energy source in Canada.
As Canada continues to study and improve the technology of solar power, the synergy between solar power and other renewable energy sources, such as wind and hydro, plays a crucial role in achieving a sustainable energy future. By leveraging the strengths of different renewable energy sources, we can ensure a clean, stable, and reliable supply of energy.
If you’re ready to make the move into solar energy, or simply have questions about how it might work for you, we’re here to help! Solar Power Store offers a huge variety of solar power kits tailored to different locations and needs. Whether you’re looking to go off-grid, stay connected to the grid, or find a hybrid solution, our comprehensive kits provide everything you need to harness the power of the sun.
Additionally, we provide expert technical assistance, can assist in equipment selection, streamline permit applications, and design a optimized solar sustem layout for your property. Our helpful and knowledgeable team of solar power professionals can make all the difference when it comes to ease of installation.
Start your journey towards a greener, more sustainable future with Solar Power Store!
