Canada and solar power
Solar Energy Statistics 2024
According to the Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA), the wind, solar, and energy storage sectors grew by 46% during the past 5 years (2019-2024) to a new total installed capacity of 24 GW at the end of 2024 - 18 GW of wind, 4 GW of solar, and 330 MW of energy storage. Solar energy capacity increased by 92% in that 5 year period. Canada is estimated to install at least 10 GW of new wind, solar, and storage capacity by 2030.[1]
Global Energy Monitor's Global Solar Power Tracker researches, updates, and publishes project level information for utility-scale solar projects throughout the world. According to the most recent 2025 update, GEM reports an operating utility-scale capacity for Canada of 3.7 GWac and a prospective capacity of 8 GW set to come online by 2030.[2]
Operating Solar Capacity by Province[3]
| Province | Capacity (MW) | % of Operating Total |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | 2800 | 52% |
| Alberta | 2150 | 40% |
| Saskatchewan | 102 | 2% |
| British Columbia | 101 | 2% |
| Prince Edward Island | 80 | 1.5% |
| Nova Scotia | 80 | 1.5% |
| Other Provinces | 105 | 1% |
Largest Operating PV Projects[4]
| Project Name | Capacity (MW) | Start Year | Province |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travers Solar | 465 MWac | 2022 | Alberta |
| Big Sky Solar Project | 140 MWac | 2024 | Alberta |
| Claresholm Solar | 132 MWac | 2021 | Alberta |
| Saddlebrook solar farm | 103 MWdc | 2024 | Alberta |
| Grand Renewable Solar | 100 MWac | 2015 | Ontario |
Read more about Solar capacity ratings.
Largest Prospective PV Projects[4]
| Project Name | Capacity (MW) | Planned Start Year | Province |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luna Solar Project - Phase 1 | 465 MW | 2025 | Alberta |
| Luna Solar Project - Phase 2 | 465 MW | 2026 | Alberta |
| Aira Solar Project | 450 MW | unknown | Alberta |
| Homestead Solar Project | 400 MW | unknown | Alberta |
| Brooks (Solar Krafte) solar farm | 360 MWac | 2025 | Alberta |
Trends in Renewable Energy Development
Ontario and Natural Gas Expansion
As of 2023, Ontario's energy mix consists of 8.7% wind power and 2.3% solar.[5] In August 2024, the Government of Ontario's Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) announced a plan to procure 5 GW of new wind, solar, hydro, nuclear, biomass, and natural gas power. In December 2024, the capacity target was increased by 50% to 7.5 GW.[6][7] To meet this projected increase in demand, the Ontario government plans to expand nuclear energy and natural gas fired energy while cutting support from more traditional forms of Renewable Energy like wind and solar. The IESO will consider bids from all energy sources, not just from wind, solar, hydro, and biomass a s previously directed.[8] Energy from gas fired turbines has tripled from 4% in 2017 to 12.8% in 2023 and is projected to grow 25% by 2030.[8] Ontario accounts for approximately 22% of Canada's emissions. Emissions from this non-renewable energy buildout are expected to rise 400% compared to 2017 by 2030 and 800% by 2050. Wind and solar have traditionally been the cheapest form of energy production since 2020, and according to Clean Energy Canada, wind power is set to be 40% cheaper than gas fired power in Ontario by 2030.[9] A similar shift in focus of natural gas power over renewables was examined for the Western Balkan region in the report A Race to the Top Western Balkans 2024, where it was concluded that if the region were to focus on the prospective pipeline of renewable energy projects and grid expansion, the natural gas infrastructure buildout would not be necessary to ensure energy security.
Alberta and Agriculture First
The Renewable Electricity Act of 2020 provided for the development, implementation, and funding for the generation of renewable electricity in Alberta requiring the Minister to ensure that at least 30% of electricity produced in the province would come from renewable sources by 2030.[10] In 2022, 10% of electricity was produced from renewables and 2023 was estimated to reach 26% of electricity from renewable sources.[11] In spite of this momentum in renewable energy generation growth, in August 2023 the province of Alberta decided to enact a 7 month Moratorium in renewable energy projects over 1 MW, launching the 118 projects in development, and at least CA$33 billion worth of investments, into uncertainty. Including approximately 12.7 GW of potential solar power generation.[12] The Moratorium was lifted in February 2024 and the government announced an "agriculture first" approach to future renewables projects. This new plan would ban renewable projects on agricultural land deemed to have excellent or good irrigation potential and setting up 35 km buffer zones around areas classified as having pristine views.[13] The new restrictions are estimated to prohibit utility-scale renewable energy projects on up to 40% of Alberta's land and the viewscape limitation alone would cover about 23% of land.[14] Multiple utility-scale solar projects have already been canceled, citing the moratorium and agriculture first restriction, including the 450 MW Rainier solar farm[15], 170 MW Sylvan solar farm[16], and the 150 MW Foothills solar farm[17].
British Columbia and First Nations Partnership
In February 2024 British Columbia (BC) announced updates to the energy objectives in the Clean Energy Act, including a new target of 100% electricity to come from renewable sources by 2030. In April 2024 BC Hydro's Call for Power will see new sources of clean renewable power generation including projects that have a First Nations partnership component.[18] 35 First Nations are to receive CA$9.8 million in federal and provincial funding to develop clean energy projects. The projects will receive the funding through the BC Indigenous Clean Energy Initiative.[19] Included in BC Hydro's Call for Power is a rule for a minimum percent of 25% equity ownership by one or more First Nations. The Call will also incentivize proposals that exceed the equity requirement. The BC Green Party proposes investments in wind, solar, and geothermal with no investments in nuclear projects. There are also proposals to invest CA$20 million annually in small scale distributed solar projects with solar accounting for 15% of electricity generation by 2035, and a mandate for a minimum of 50% equity ownership for First Nations in large scale renewable energy projects.[19] BC wants to make it easier and quicker for companies to receive permits for renewable energy projects by putting project approvals under the authority of the BC Energy Regulator. Companies previously had to work with multiple stakeholders to secure permits with jurisdictions often overlapping, leading to delays.[20]
Solar Energy Statistics 2022
According to the Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA), the solar energy sector grew by 13.6% (288 MW) in 2021. Canada now has a solar capacity of 2,399 MW, compared to 2,111 MW in 2020. Canada's most valuable source for solar generation is Ontario, sharing almost 96% of its solar power.[21] In 2021 Canada had over 50 energy storage projects with the highest concentration of facilities in Ontario. Canada's utility scale rechargeable energy storage capacity is estimated at over 160 MWac.[3]
Most of the solar power generating potential in Canada is located in the south in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario. Canada has an overall maximum capacity factor of 6%, compared to 15% in the US. The Canada Energy Regulator (CER) anticipates that solar will form 3% of the country's overall generation by 2040.[22] The potential in coastal regions is lower due to increased cloud cover. Many Canadian cities have a solar potential that rivals many major cities around the world. Installing solar panels on the roofs of residential homes can supply half of Canada's home energy demands. An anticipated 3,000 MW will be commissioned by the end of 2022 and a similar amount in 2023.[23]
Breakdown by Province
List of Canadian provinces with the greatest proportion of energy demand met by wind and solar energy:[24]
- Prince Edward Island - 41%
- Nova Scotia - 13.5%
- Ontario - 9.9%
- Alberta - 9.6%
- New Brunswick - 6.6%
- Northwest Territories - 6.5%
- Quebec 5.7%
Overall, Canada met 6.5% of its energy demand with wind and solar.[24]
Targets, Goals, and Barriers
CanREA states that Canada has a goal of commissioning 1,000 MW of new solar energy for 2022 with 18 new projects, 16 anticipated to be in Alberta.[24] Research conducted by CanREA shows that for Canada to fulfill its pledge of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, it will need to build more than 5,000 MW of new wind and solar energy each year for the next 30 years.[23]
According to CER, the primary barrier to solar power generation is cost. Costs for solar power remain greater than for wind power. incentives will be an important factor in encouraging future renewable development. Wind and solar still remain the favorable source of Renewable Energy in Canada due to significant cost reductions from technological advancements. Another challenge to renewable energy production in Canada is space. Long distances with low populations mean that getting power to where it is needed most can be problematic for transmission. Ensuring Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) and increasing the Carbon Tax will indirectly increase fossil energy prices and benefit green produces making companies more inclined to buy electricity from green producers over fossil fuel producers.[22]
References
- ↑ McDougall, Melissa (2025-01-30). "NEWS RELEASE: CanREA marks fifth anniversary with special industry data report". Canadian Renewable Energy Association. Retrieved 2025-03-12.
- ↑ "Summary Tables". Global Energy Monitor. Retrieved 2025-03-12.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "By the Numbers - Canadian Renewable Energy Association". Canadian Renewable Energy Association. 2020-09-17. Retrieved 2023-01-06.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Global Solar Power Tracker". Global Energy Monitor. 2025-02-11. Retrieved 2025-03-12.
- ↑ "Overview of energy sector | Ontario Energy Board". www.oeb.ca. Retrieved 2025-03-15.
- ↑ "Canadian farm lobby presents renewable energy proposal". pv magazine International. 2024-01-08. Retrieved 2025-03-15.
- ↑ "Ontario Boosts Energy Procurement by 50% to Meet Demands". 2024-12-13. Retrieved 2025-03-15.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Park, Norman W. (2025-02-10). "Prioritizing nuclear power and natural gas over renewable energy is a risky move for Ontario's energy future". The Conversation. Retrieved 2025-03-15.
- ↑ "Ontario switches gears, plans to increase renewable energy production by 2035; transition still too slow". The Pointer. Retrieved 2025-03-15.
- ↑ "Renewable Electricity Act". Alberta Government.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Renewable Energy in Alberta: 16 Facts". Canada Action. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
- ↑ "Investment Impact of Alberta's Renewable Energy Moratorium". www.pembina.org. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
- ↑ says, Cob (2024-03-01). "Alberta lifts moratorium on renewable energy projects". pv magazine International. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
- ↑ "Alberta Under Fire From Environmentalists for Restrictions on Renewable Energy". OilPrice.com. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
- ↑ Stanway, Sandra (March 27, 2024). "AUC Denies Rainier Solar Project" (PDF). Brooks Bulletin.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Sylvan Lake-area solar project stalls". Red Deer Advocate. 2024-10-09. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
- ↑ Kaufmann, Bill. "Proposed solar farm near High River deemed too dangerous for birds". Calgary Herald.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Fransen, Aaron (March 4, 2024). "Legislative, Procurement and Governmental Updates Signal that British Columbia is Ripe for Renewable Energy Development". Stikeman Elliott.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ 19.0 19.1 eggermac (2024-10-21). "Renewable Energy in British Columbia: A Powerhouse in Hydro". Procido LLP | Legal + Advisory. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
- ↑ "B.C. to streamline regulatory process for clean energy projects". CBC News. February 8, 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Solar Power Statistics in Canada 2021". Solar Feeds. February 27, 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ 22.0 22.1 Whitlock, Robin (October 8, 2021). "Canada's Solar Development: Potential, Challenges and Future Prospects". Solar Magazine.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ 23.0 23.1 Kamil (2022). "Solar Energy in Canada: All You Need to Know". Panel Upgrade Experts.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 "Canada installed almost 1 GW of wind and solar energy in 2021, driven by strong growth in Alberta. - Canadian Renewable Energy Association". Canadian Renewable Energy Association. 2022-01-26. Retrieved 2023-01-06.
