Solar energy

Solar energy can generate clean, reliable power with little maintenance and free fuel. The most promising solar technologies in the short-term are those that capture the heat of the sun’s rays to heat indoor space or water and use the sun to generate electricity.

Trends

Countries such as Germany, Spain, and China are leading the world in the implementation and manufacturing of solar systems and provide clear examples of what can be quickly achieved if the right policy mechanisms are in place.

More than 29 million homes around the world use solar power for hot water and heating. In the German city of Freiburg, solar panels are commonly found on homes, hotels, sports arenas, schools and businesses. In Canada, Solar energy can provide up to 90 per cent of residential hot water heating and commercial hot water heating at a cost below the price of heating water with electricity.

Economic benefits

Global solar photovoltaic production grew by 90 per cent in 2008. Its high growth rates are leading to a downward trend in prices.

Canada sits well behind the global curve, with per-capita spending on solar cells far below the world average. Canadian solar firms are industry leaders internationally, however, their focus is on exports as there is a lack of domestic markets for their products.

Employment in the solar sector is found in manufacturing, installation, operations and maintenance. About 13,300 people are employed in the German solar thermal industry and 26,900 in solar PV.