Canada Sees 29 Percent Annual Growth in Solar Power
EarthVision Environmental News
September 6, 2000
MONTREAL, September 6, 2000 - A report detailing the development of solar electricity in Canada has found that for the past seven years, solar photovoltaics in Canada have grown at an annual rate of 29 percent. The Photovoltaic Energy Technology Program, CANMET Energy Diversification Research Laboratory, of Natural Resources Canada in Quebec prepared the annual report to the International Energy Agency.
This latest report, prepared by Lisa Dignard-Bailey and Sylvain Martel and entitled Photovoltaic Power Systems Program for 1999 in Canada, found the installed capacity of solar photovoltaics in Canada broke the five megawatt level in 1999. According to a survey of 33 solar companies, revenue from sales and installation of PV systems in 1999 was $19.1 million. The primary markets for PV in Canada were cottager in isolated regions that wanted electricity generated onsite rather than brought in by power lines. Buyers also were highway departments for crosswalk electricity for flashing lights and for high construction yellow flashing lights. One of the largest purchasers of PV systems was the Canadian oil and industry sector, which uses the solar cells to power remote monitoring devices that report by way of satellite the gas and oil flows through the tens of thousands of miles of pipelines in Canada. The total commercial activity from Canadian PV companies is estimated to be worth $40 million in 1999.
Other notable figures from the report include:
The industry was estimated to provide 250 full-time jobs in 1999, up from 220 reported in 1998.
The cumulative installed capacity of PV in Canada reached 5,586 kW last year, up from 960 kW in 1992.
The strongest growth has been in off-grid residential applications, particularly in the cottage and recreational market, which have increased from 105 kW in 1992 to 2,157 kW last year.
Off-grid commercial and industrial applications represent the strongest market, with 3,375 kW, up from 686 kW seven years ago.
The third market segment, on-grid PV, has only 297 kW of installed capacity, up from 167 kW in 1992.
NRCan and the consulting firm of KPMG are finalizing a PV marketing plan to promote solar panels in Canada.
The NRCan report covers the sale of PV modules that are larger than 40 watts, but it notes that Canada has a strong retail market for smaller modules used in solar lanterns and garden lights. It also says that exports represent only six percent of PV sales in Canada. Overall system prices increased slightly last year, with PV panel and installation costs ranging from $16 per peak watt for cathodic protection, to $27/per watt installed for telecommunications applications. Cottage installations are hitting $40 per watt.
For more information contact Lisa Dignard-Bailey, Section Head, Photovoltaic Energy Technology Program, CANMET Energy Diversification Research Laboratory, Natural Resources Canada, Box 480, Varennes, Quebec J3X 1S6. Ph. 450-652-5161,
email lisa.dignard@nrcan.gc.ca; Website http://cedrl.mets.nrcan.gc.ca.
For a copy of the earlier PV reports go to the International Energy Association website at http://www.euronet.nl/users/oke/PVPS/products/home.htm.