Are Hybrid Solar Heat Pump Systems Good for Canada?
March 6, 2025
Skyscraper Solar in Canada: Can Big Buildings Become Power Sources?
March 28, 2025
Solar power isn’t just a future dream in Canada; it’s happening right now, in more places than you might think. From bustling cities to quiet farms and remote communities, Canadians are finding clever ways to harness the sun’s energy. Let’s look at where it’s really taking off.
Powering Businesses Big and Small
You might be surprised which businesses are plugging into solar. It’s not just the specialized solar companies like Canadian Solar Inc. or Greengate Power Corporation anymore. Big players and smaller operations are also switching to solar, mainly because it cuts down on energy costs and, let’s be honest, looks good for their image.
Think about places with huge energy bills – supermarkets and shopping malls with all their lights and refrigeration. Oxford Properties, for example, slapped solar panels on a million square feet of mall roofs, including big names like Yorkdale and Square One. That’s a serious commitment. Even giants like Amazon and Budweiser are buying power directly from large solar farms in Alberta, locking in energy prices for the long haul.
I remember looking at a local car dealership recently – massive roof, huge parking lot. It’s prime real estate for solar panels, maybe even solar carports that charge electric vehicles while providing shade. It just makes sense, turning unused space into an energy-generating asset.
Solar On The Farm: More Than Just Sunshine
Agriculture is another area where solar is finding its footing. Farmers are practical people; if something saves money and works reliably, they’ll consider it.
Large solar farms are popping up on agricultural land, especially out in Ontario and Alberta. You’ve got massive projects like Traverse Solar in Alberta, Canada’s biggest, with 1.3 million solar panels churning out 465 MW – enough to power a substantial number of homes. Another project, the Saamis solar project in Medicine Hat, aims to eventually power the whole city with solar.
But it’s not just about these mega-projects. Solar is powering irrigation systems, which is brilliant because peak sun hours often match peak watering needs. It saves fuel and makes water use more efficient. Companies like Valley Irrigation are offering these systems. Even smaller gardens can use simple solar kits hooked up to rain barrels.
And greenhouses? Some clever designs use passive solar heating, trapping the sun’s warmth to grow crops year-round with minimal extra fuel, even in cold climates. Think “Greenhouse in the Snow” in BC or Freshpal Farms in Alberta. Some companies like Soliculture are even integrating solar panels right into the greenhouse roof.
Solar Energy In Schools
Schools are jumping on the solar bandwagon too. It cuts down their electricity bills, which frees up money for other things, and it’s a fantastic teaching tool.
The Toronto District School Board has put solar on hundreds of buildings, adding up to about 38 MW since 2010. In Banff, the Community High School didn’t just install panels; they integrated the 10 kW system right into the science lessons, letting students learn about renewables firsthand.
Provinces have helped push this along. Alberta had a “Solar for Schools” program that funded dozens of projects, helping schools cut electricity bills and educate students. BC gave grants to eleven schools, specifically encouraging student involvement and curriculum integration. Edmonton Public Schools have solar on 24 schools, generating enough power for about 800 homes. It shows a real commitment to sustainability and educating the next generation.
Community Power: Centers And Initiatives
Community hubs – arenas, libraries, halls – are also getting solar upgrades. Often helped by government funding, these projects lower operating costs and showcase green energy locally.
Take the Shediac Community Solar Farm in New Brunswick; it’s a 1.63 MW facility powering the local multipurpose center and a government pension center, aiming for net-zero. Calgary’s Southland Leisure Centre put up panels back in 2015, generating enough power annually for 24 average homes. Nelson, BC, even started Canada’s first community solar garden where residents could invest in panels and get credits on their bills – a cool way to get everyone involved. Some towns, like Raymond, Alberta, have gone all-in, aiming to offset 100% of their municipal electricity use with solar. It’s about communities taking control of their energy future.
Homes And Offices: Solar Integration Growing
More and more homeowners and office building managers are looking up—at their roofs, that is. For office buildings with high daytime energy use, solar just makes sense financially. The Edge building in Edmonton expects its large south-facing solar array to cover 80% of its energy needs, paying for itself in just five years. That kind of return gets attention.
We’re seeing solar panels added onto existing buildings (that’s BAPV) and even integrated right into the building materials (BIPV), like solar shingles or windows. Universities are getting involved too; Western University has arrays on its engineering and entrepreneurship buildings, with the latter aiming for net-zero energy.
For homeowners, the appeal is clear: lower electricity bills and potentially higher property value. Some studies even suggest rooftop solar could eventually meet half of Canada’s home energy demand. That’s a lot of potential power right above our heads. As someone who enjoys optimizing things, the idea of turning a passive roof into an active energy generator is quite appealing.
Reaching Remote Areas: Energy Independence
Perhaps one of the most impactful uses of solar in Canada is in remote and Indigenous communities. Many currently rely on expensive, polluting diesel generators. Solar offers a path to cleaner, more reliable, and often cheaper energy.
Programs like the federal Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities (CERRC) help fund these projects. The Fort Chipewyan Solar Project in Alberta stands as the largest off-grid solar project in Canada, supplying about 25% of the community’s power and cutting diesel use significantly. Similarly, the Old Crow Solar Project in Yukon meets about 24% of its electricity needs, reducing diesel dependence and even generating revenue. Pay-As-You-Go models are also making solar systems more affordable for individual households in these areas. This isn’t just about electricity; it’s about energy security and self-sufficiency.
Making Solar Happen: Incentives and Support
Governments across Canada recognize solar’s potential and are offering carrots to encourage adoption.
Federal Boosts
Ottawa has several programs:
- Canada Greener Homes Grant & Loan: Homeowners can get grants (up to $5,000) and interest-free loans (up to $40,000) for retrofits, including solar panels.
- Clean Technology Investment Tax Credit: Businesses get a 30% refundable tax credit for investing in clean tech like solar and battery storage.
- Accelerated Capital Cost Allowance: Businesses can write off the full cost of eligible clean energy equipment (like solar systems) in the first year.
- CERRC Program: Dedicated funding for renewable projects in remote and Indigenous communities.
- Infrastructure Investments: Billions allocated for renewable energy generation, storage, and transmission, including solar.
Provincial Perks
Provinces add their own layer of incentives, often tailored to local needs:
- Alberta: Offers various rebates and programs through municipalities (like Edmonton’s rebate), the HERA program, and Emissions Reduction Alberta. EQUS offers financing.
- British Columbia: Provides significant rebates for homeowners for both solar panels and battery storage (up to $5,000 each as of July 2024). Some regions offer loans.
- Manitoba: Efficiency Manitoba offers rebates for homes and businesses connecting solar PV to the grid.
- New Brunswick: Rebates available through the Total Home Energy Savings Program (THESP).
- Nova Scotia: Offers rebates, including enhanced ones for non-profits, a Home Battery Initiative, and PACE financing programs.
- Ontario: Has rebates via the Home Renovation Savings Program for panels and storage, commercial incentives, net metering, and loan programs in cities like Toronto (HELP), Ottawa, and Durham.
- Prince Edward Island: Provides substantial rebates for residential, commercial, and farm installations via its Solar Electric Rebate Program, plus PACE financing in some areas.
- Saskatchewan: Offers net metering credits for excess power sent to the grid.
- Yukon: The Good Energy program offers rebates based on installed capacity.
- Northwest Territories: The Arctic Energy Alliance provides solar rebates for various groups.
Navigating these can seem complex, but they significantly lower the entry cost, making solar a viable option for many more Canadians.
The Bigger Picture: Why Solar Matters for Canada
Strategically adopting solar aligns perfectly with broader goals. In farming, it means more sustainable food production. For remote communities, it’s about energy sovereignty. For businesses and homeowners, it’s lower costs and greener operations. Combining solar with EV charging tackles transportation emissions too.
Beyond individual benefits, solar boosts Canada’s overall energy independence. Less reliance on fossil fuels, especially imported ones, means more energy security and less exposure to volatile global markets. Distributed generation (like rooftop solar) also makes our grid more resilient by diversifying sources. Plus, the growing solar industry creates local jobs.
Facing Reality: The Upsides and Downsides
Let’s be real, though. While the benefits are clear – cost savings, lower emissions, potential property value increases, energy independence, job creation – there are hurdles.
The main one is often the high upfront cost, although incentives and falling prices help. Solar power is intermittent, so energy storage (like batteries) is becoming increasingly important. Connecting projects to the grid can be complicated, and sometimes policies change, creating uncertainty. Large projects also raise questions about land use, sometimes leading to pushback or moratoriums if communities feel agricultural land or scenic views are threatened. Finding enough skilled installers and maintenance folks is also key.
What’s Next? Solar Innovation In Canada
Canada isn’t just using solar; we’re working on making it better. Research is ongoing into more advanced solar thermal and PVT systems, integrating solar into smart grids, developing better PV standards, and improving solar resource assessment.
Emerging tech includes things like PV shingles, solar windows that generate power, and even solar asphalt collectors. Scientists are exploring lighter, flexible organic solar cells (OPVs) and more efficient materials like perovskites in tandem cells. Making panels tougher for harsh weather and capturing light from both sides (bifacial panels) are also areas of focus. Solar streetlights designed for extreme weather are also being used. It’s exciting to see the constant innovation.
Solar’s Growing Role in Canada’s Energy Mix
Solar is making a real dent. Renewables accounted for over 80% of new electricity capacity added in Canada in 2020. By 2022, we had nearly 6,500 MW of installed solar capacity, with 92% growth in the five years before 2024. Canada aims for 90% clean electricity by 2030 and 100% by 2035. Wind and solar are the fastest-growing sources leading that charge. This shift is even projected to save households an average of 12% on total energy spending by 2050.
However, meeting those ambitious 2030 and 2035 targets requires a massive speed-up in deploying renewables like solar – potentially tripling capacity by 2030 and a sevenfold increase by 2035. We’ve made good progress, but the pace needs to quicken significantly.
The Path Forward
Solar energy is clearly more than just a niche player in Canada; it’s becoming a cornerstone of our energy strategy. We see it working in farms, schools, businesses, homes, and remote areas. The benefits are compelling: lower costs, cleaner air, greater energy independence.
To keep the momentum going, we need continued government support through stable incentives, simpler processes for getting projects approved and connected, investment in grid upgrades and storage, ongoing research, and clear communication so everyone knows the benefits and how to get involved. It’s about working together—government, industry, researchers, and communities—to build a cleaner, more secure energy future for Canada.
From my perspective, exploring solar is a smart move for many Canadians. It requires some homework, understanding the costs, benefits, and available support, but the potential payoff—both financially and environmentally—is substantial.
Edited By Vitaliy Lano
