Solar power harnesses the power of the sun to create heat and electricity. In Canada, the solar resource, or potential to generate solar power, is one of the best in all of the industrialized nations. Electricity is generated from solar energy by photovoltaic (PV) panels. PV power systems have no moving parts, and are reliable units requiring little maintenance. Once installed, solar PV arrays generate no noise, airborne or water-borne pollutants. Conveniently, maximum solar power production coincides with peak demand in Canada, in the summer when air conditioner loads are heaviest. In the summer, Toronto has better solar radiation then Miami!

The global solar industry has been increasing by 35% a year and is now a $15 billion market. Market leaders include Portugal and Germany, where solar will provide 10% of peak power requirements within the next 8 years. Canada is ranked 14th out of 20 reporting nations for installed solar power but the country is poised to emerge as one of the fastest growing solar markets in the next few years. Indeed, solar power is growing by 20% a year in Canada.

How much power is in solar energy? For comparison, the solar energy falling on 15 km² in southern Alberta is equivalent to the entire power capacity of all the nuclear power plants in Canada (without radioactive waste issues!).

For more information about the benefits of Solar power, visit the Canadian Solar Industries Association website (www.canSIA.ca).

Check the Natural Resources Canada Canadian Solar Radiation map to see the solar power capacity in your region.