Solar Power Canada
Huge solar potential exists in Canada.
Sunny expanses can be turned into free solar energy. Canada has barely begun to utilize her carbon free resources. |
Let's start using some of our abundant solar energy Canada!
Who are the leaders in implementing solar power? Canada is certainly not the first country that comes to mind
It's not because Canada has less potential than other countries in fact the Canadian provinces and solar are a great fit. With her wide open spaces and largely unrestricted sunshine the potential is staggering. Still mostly a vast wilderness, hundreds of kilometres can separate you and the nearest power pole. Solar power is often the less expensive choice when faced with the expense of bringing the power grid to your location.
Our position in relation to the sun isn't ideal compared to Mexico or southern USA. During Canadian summer months days are long and sun drenched providing ample energy to run a household on nothing but solar. Winter is a different story with short days and long cold nights, a combination that will stress a photovoltaic system with a greater need for power during the long nights while the short days provide minimal collecting ability.
It is possible to live completely off the grid in Canada using nothing but solar but in some cases (in the far north for instance) supplementing your solar array with wind, geothermal, hydro turbines and or a generator is often less expensive and more reliable.
Angling panels appropriately and adding a few panels to our array will compensate for the angle of the sun.
Because space and water heating use huge amounts of power, adding a wood stove or natural gas fireplace and a solar water heater will also reduce the load on your photovoltaic system and keep costs down.
Expense can be further reduced by incorporating as many passive solar principles as possible in your home.
With new technology that is more efficient, easier and less expensive to produce and collects spectrums of light yet unharvested, solar will be more available, more affordable and more viable in far northern and southern latitudes..
Canada has a growing number of solar powered households, cottages and businesses as well as serious infrastructure projects such as municipal water distribution systems.
When assessing countries that can benefit from solar power Canada is right up there in sprite of it's Northern position on the globe. Even in some relatively rainy areas like the Gulf Islands many households are enjoying an off grid life that includes solar power.
The sunrayce of 2005 covered 2,494 miles using only solar power. Canada is the last leg of the race that begins by heading North from Austin, Texas, USA to
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada then West to Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The sleek,
solar powered vehicles
averaged speeds of 46.2 miles per hour and are capable of speeds over 65 miles per hour.
Using nothing but the power of the sun the vehicles sped
noislessly into
Calgary proving that solar powered vehicles are feasible and that when it comes to solar power Canada is no slouch.
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Solar Power Canada - Links
BC Sustainable Energy Association
Care Earth
Clear Power Solutions Maritimes
Down To Earth Solar
Independent Power Systems Inc.
Le Boise' Alternatives
Matrix Energy
Nexus
Solar Wall
SolGate Inc.
If you are a Canadian solar company and would like to be included on our list please Contact Us
Because of Canada's Northern location not to mention her vast selection of resources, solar is frequently combined with other renewable sources of energy to provide uninterrupted power service through the changing seasons.
