General Framework
The federal Department of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) is responsible for
energy policies and energy R&D in Canada. The CANMET Energy Technology Centre-Varennes
(CETC-Varennes) is one of NRCan's three energy research and innovation centres1.
Established in 1992, CETC-Varennes' mission is to encourage targeted sectors of
the Canadian economy to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, use energy
more sustainably, and improve their innovation capabilities. CETC-Varennes is
responsible for the management of the federal photovoltaic R&D and technology
transfer programmes. Other Centre activities focus on: buildings, refrigeration,
industry and RETScreentm development2.
The Government of Canada is signatory to the Kyoto Protocol to the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change3.
It has invested more than 3,7 billion CAD in climate change programs and
to the development of leading edge technologies over the past six years, including
2 billion CAD in its federal Budget 2003 alone.
The CCPC is a five-year national programme based on extensive
consultations with provincial and territorial governments, industry, environmental organizations and individual Canadians. It sets out the strategy by which all Canadians and all sectors can work together to meet Canada's Kyoto commitment to reduce (GHG) to an average of six per cent below 1990 levels during the period 2008-2012.
The CCPC allocated 250 MCAD towards the Technology and Innovation (T&I) Initiative,
which is contributing to advancing promising GHG technologies through R&D, demonstration
and early adoption initiatives to achieve long-term GHG reductions and strengthen
Canada's technology capacity in five key areas: decentralized energy production;
advance energy end use in buildings and communities, industry and in transportation;
cleaner fossil fuels; biotechnology; and, the hydrogen economy. PV and related
activities have been included in the implementation plans of the first two T&I
R&D technology areas. Technology Early Action Measures (TEAM)4
is another initiative that has been renewed under the CCPC with injection of
new funding for technology demonstration. TEAM is an interdepartmental technology
investment programme that supports projects that are designed to develop technologies
that mitigate (GHG) emissions nationally and internationally, and that sustain
economic and social development. TEAM is funding several partnerships between
federal partners, the PV industry and regional stakeholders to demonstrate projects
to raise the awareness of this emerging technology, as well as contributing
to their improvement and cost reduction targets.
In 2004, a multi-stakeholder partnership between the solar industry, home
developers and builders, renewable energy associations, energy research centers
and academia joined forces to launch the Net-Zero Energy Home (NZEH) Coalition5
with the aim to establish Canada and Canadian Industry as a world leader in
competitive, innovative and sustainable residential building construction for
the 21st century.
The Coalition envisions all new home construction in Canada to meet net-zero
energy standards by 2030, by combining onsite solar and other renewable energy
generation technologies and energy efficiency applications and devices. The
Coalition builds upon Canada's pioneering work in energy efficient home construction,
embodied in the R20006 standards
by adding residential-scale renewable energy production for household needs
and additional energy conservation technologies.
The Government of Canada continued its efforts to work with
multi-stakeholder groups in Canada to raise awareness of building-integrated photovoltaics with the next generation of architects and building engineers. It collaborated with the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada's (RAIC), a voluntary national association representing more than 3 000 members, to deliver a full-day professional development course on building-integrated photovoltaics to 135 Canadian architects in five Canadian cities. The workshops were designed to dispel the myths surrounding building-integrated photovoltaics and to heighten the architectural community's understanding this emerging and exciting renewable energy technology in Canadian buildings of the future.
Despite the relatively low price of conventional energy, many
Canadians are contributing to the growth of the PV market and
industry. A sustainable market for remote and off-grid applications has developed over the last 11 years in Canada. The installed power capacity has reached an estimated 14 MW in 2004, compared to
11,67 MW in 2003 (see Table 1). This is an unsubsidized market that is growing because PV technology is meeting the remote power
needs of Canadian customers particularly for transport route signaling, navigational aids, remote homes, telecommunication, and remote sensing and monitoring.
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Table 1: Cumulative PV power capacity installed in Canada
| Year |
1992 |
1993 |
1994 |
1995 |
1996 |
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
| PV power [MW] |
0,96 |
1,24 |
1,51 |
1,86 |
2,56 |
3,38 |
4,47 |
5,83 |
7,15 |
8,83 |
10,00 |
11,67 |
14 (est) |
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National Programme
Within the framework of NRCan's Renewable Energy Strategy,
CETC-Varennes is responsible for the photovoltaic R&D and
technology transfer programme. In collaboration with Canadian
industry and universities, as well as international energy research organizations, the Center undertakes R&D activities and fosters
information exchanges to promote the adoption of PV technologies.
CETC-Varennes’ coordination role keeps policy makers and Canadian
industry abreast of developments in the rest of the world.
The strategies of the Canadian photovoltaic programme are to:
- Conduct R&D that will contribute to the improved performance
of PV system components and applications in cold climates;
- Provide leadership and technical support that will foster the
market deployment of PV technology by removing technical,
institutional and regulatory barriers;
- Collaborate with key partners and stakeholders to increase
the awareness of the potential and value of PV; and,
- Provide support to globally competitive PV manufacturers that
can significantly contribute to Canada's Climate Change
objectives.
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Research and Development Programme
The Canadian R&D programme supports the development of technologies, the evaluation
of the performance of PV systems in new applications and their adaptation for
use in cold climate conditions. In 2004, it has initiated a four-year programme
to effectively address technical, institutional and regulatory barriers and to
promote the grid integration of decentralized energy resources (PV, wind, distributed
generation)7. This work is conducted
in collaboration with the industry at CETC-Varennes, a National research facility
located near Montréal in the Province of Québec.
On-going projects include:
- R&D for the integration of PV-thermal systems in buildings;
- Optimization strategies for Zero Energy Solar Homes;
- Evaluation on the use of small PV-hybrid systems in off-grid
applications;
- Integration of renewable energy technologies in off-grid
residences in Canadian climatic condition;
- Evaluating the energy performance of novel PV modules operating in Canadian climatic conditions;
- Assessing the performance of PV products designed for building
applications;
- Collaboration with Measurement Canada on net-metering to
address the regulatory issues;
- Simulation studies on the impact of inverter-based systems and
utility interconnected PV systems;
- Championing the development of a national guideline for the
interconnection of small distributed generation systems; and,
- Supporting the development and adoption of performance and
safety standards for use in Canada, including participation in
the International Electrotechnical Commission working groups
that aim to develop international standards.
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Demonstration projects
- Largest Pilot Photovoltaic Project in Toronto Reflects Utility Commitment to Energy Alternatives
Toronto Hydro-Electric System Ltd., a subsidiary of Toronto Hydro
Corporation, recently installed the largest industrial grid-connected solar power generation system in the city (Figure 1). The photovoltaic system will produce 36 kilowatts of clean, non-polluting electricity for Toronto Hydro's service centre at the company's office in downtown Toronto - a high profile location chosen to increase public awareness of the potential for green power in an urban environment.
This is the second green power system to be launched by Toronto
Hydro in the past two years, following the downtown wind turbine
at the Canadian National Exhibition. The PV system includes
189 Sanyo HIT 190 watt solar modules, and is utilizing a Xantrex
30 kilowatt grid-tie inverter. The PV system generates sufficient
electricity to displace annual emission of 38 tonnes of carbon
dioxide and provide 12 % of the lighting load at the centre, which
houses 800 staff and equipment in a 12-acre building. The installation showcases the utility's commitment to alternative energy sources.
- Government Embraces Onsite Solar Power Generation
The Government of Canada is committed to climate change reduction
efforts through efficient use of energy and the use of energy from
renewable sources. Under funding from the Government of Canada's
On-Site Generation at Federal Facilities initiative, nine federal
departments and agencies are demonstrating PV, wind and micro
hydro technologies on seventeen federal facilities throughout Canada.
Of the seventeen projects, thirteen are grid-tied PV applications
totaling 100 kilowatts nominal capacity. For example, the Royal
Canadian Mounted Police are using PV power supply systems for their border detachment facilities across Canada, Health Canada is
demonstrating PV power generation on native health clinics under
their jurisdiction, Environment Canada is demonstrating roof mounted systems on its National Centre for Inland Waters research facility in Ontario, and Parks Canada is also demonstrating a roof-mounted systems on its Ecologic/Education Building in its St. Lawrence National Park also in Ontario. In the western Province of British Columbia, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the National Research Council are also demonstrating roof-mounted systems on their Institute of Ocean Sciences and the Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics.
In 2005, the Customs and Revenue Agency Customs will be
demonstrating two building-integrated PV projects on their border
crossing facilities in the provinces of Quebec in eastern Canada and British Columbia in the west. The initiative provided total subsidies of 850 KCAD to leverage about 2 MCAD of total project costs to realize about 850 kilowatts of total nominal generating capacity, expected by the planned completion of this initiative in 2005. These results far exceed the planned target of 125 kilowatts from PV, wind and micro hydro generating sources.
- Arts Fellowship Supports Energetic Exploration in Glass
Noted Canadian glass artist Sarah Hall was recently awarded an Arts Fellowship
from the Canadian-based Chalmers Foundation to support her innovative work
in photovoltaic art glass. This technique, which uses solar cells in the glass
to generate electricity, adds an exciting new dimension to the relationship
between a building and its windows. As she integrates these systems into her
art glass windows, Sarah Hall will explore the connections between light,
colour, imagery and energy and her own deep concerns for our natural world
and our future. Her proposal for the Chalmers Foundation was for six new major
works that integrate original, expressive designs with working photovoltaic
systems over the next year (Figure 2). One of her current projects involves
contributing to the Canadian entry in the USDOE-sponsored Solar Decathlon,
a competition for energy-efficient housing design, in Washington, DC this
September. Since establishing the studio in 1980, Sarah Hall has built an
international reputation for her technical and artistic exploration. She has
collaborated with world-renowned German architect Dr. Ingo Hagemann, Saint
Gobain Glass in Aachen, and with Mr. Wilhelm Peters of Glasmalerei Peters
to develop and demonstrate artistic applications of stained glass and PV,
and she will be working with them on these demonstration projects in Canada.
Her work has garnered Honor Awards from the American Institute of Architects,
the Allied Arts Award from the Ontario Association of Architects, and election
to the Royal Canadian Academy of Art.
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Implementation
Canada has developed and approved a number of climate change
mitigation schemes in support of its National Implementation
Strategy to enable it to meet its commitments under the Kyoto
Protocol. Support for collaborative public and private sector efforts are provided through some of the following initiatives:
- Federal Leadership through Federal House in Order Initiative & On-Site Generation at Federal Facilities
In 2000, the Government of Canada launched the Federal House in Order (FHIO)8
initiative with Natural Resources Canada and Environment Canada as the lead
departments. The FHIO initiative is the Government of Canada's plan for reducing
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within its own operations. FHIO recognizes
that the Government of Canada's operations produce GHG emissions and, as a
result, must meet their share of the responsibility for honouring the Kyoto
commitment. Through the FHIO initiative, the Government of Canada is demonstrating
that it is taking a leadership role in getting its own "house in order." Reducing
its own emissions may ultimately encourage others to do their part in addressing
the issue of climate change. An investment of 44,2 MCAD million has been allocated
to federal operations, including $ 30 million for the purchase of electricity
from renewable resources and 1,2 MCAD for on-site electricity generation demonstration
projects in federal buildings using PV, wind and micro-hydro technologies.
Through these initiatives the Government of Canada developed a target for
reducing GHG emissions within its own operations.
- Federal Investments in Technology-To-Market Support
Through continued support to TEAM, now in its third phase of
funding (2003-2008), The federal government is continuing to provide financing for the late stage development and first demonstration of new technology with strategic partnering through the zone between R&D and market implementation. TEAM is an interdepartmental technology investment program established under the federal government's Climate Change Action Plan. TEAM supports projects that are designed to develop technologies that mitigate GHG emissions nationally and internationally, and that sustain economic and social development. TEAM's unique approach brings together industry, community, and international partners to encourage additional investment in innovative technology. TEAM's position in the technology innovation process has enabled the Government of Canada to support a wide range of technology options and paths for mitigating greenhouse gases. To-date there are about 98 projects that are being funded by TEAM in consort with federal departments totaling some 960 MCAD of which the federal share is 20 % of the total cost.
- Technology Partnerships Canada (TPC)10
is a special operating agency of Industry Canada with a mandate to provide
funding support for strategic research and development, and demonstration
projects that will produce economic, social and environmental benefits
to Canadians.
TPC's main R&D program is geared to pre-competitive projects across a wide spectrum of technological development. The program focuses
on key technology areas such as Environmental Technologies,
Aerospace and Defence Technologies and Enabling Technologies,
which includes biotechnology and health related applications, as well as manufacturing technologies. TPC and TEAM are funding the
development and commercialization of Solar Spheraltm technology.
- Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC)11
is a foundation created by the Government of Canada that operates a 550
MCAD fund to support the development and demonstration of clean technologies
- solutions that address issues of climate change, clean air, water quality
and soil remediation to deliver environmental, economic and health benefits
to Canadians. An arm's length, not-for-profit corporation, SDTC fills
the void in the innovation chain between R&D and commercialization - helping
clean technology developers move through the development and demonstration
phases, in preparation for commercialization. In 2002 SDTC has awarded
500 KCAD to a consortium lead by Carmanah Technologies Corporation, Vancouver,
British Columbia, to demonstrate and adapt solar powered LED technology
to edge-lit signage, which will lead to the development of a more diverse
and robust solar industry in Canada. This project is enabling solar powered
lighting to enter mainstream applications.
- Net Metering Initiative
Deregulation of the Canadian electric utility industry is creating opportunities
for distributed power generation to occupy a significant share of the electricity
markets of the future. PV has an important role to play in this market, and
appropriate policies to promote investments in PV are being pursued. One such
area is to compensate system owners feeding power to the grid through net
metering and net billing practices. This is relatively a new policy area for
Canadian power utilities to consider and nascent activities are happening
across Canada. To date, approximately eight Canadian utilities have policies
in place that allow small renewable energy generators to be compensated at
the retail rate and another seven utilities provide below retail compensation.
The federal government is leading a working group composed of stakeholders
from the electricity industry (manufacturers and utility) and federal regulatory
branches to identify and eliminate barriers to the introduction of net metering
in the electricity sector12.
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Industry status
There are over 150 companies and organizations promoting PV power in Canada and
may are active in the Canadian Industry Association and Energie Solaire Quebec13.
The Canadian Solar Industry Association released a “Solar Plan for Canada” at
its annual meeting in November 2004. It aims to insure a solar future for Canada
and targets 25 million megawatt-hours by 202514.
The Canadian PV manufacturing sector has grown significantly in
the last three years to serve both the domestic and export market. In 2004 significant investment in the manufacturing sector were announced.
- In June 23rd, 2004, ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc. opened Canada's
first fully integrated 20-megawatt Spheral Solar Technology manufacturing
plant in Cambridge Ontario. It now employs approximately 200 people and has
been developing innovative products using its flexible, lightweight solar
technology15 (Figure 3).
- Xantrex Technology Inc. 16
is a world leading manufacturer of innovative power electronic product interfaces
with its headquarter in Burnaby, British Columbia. Xantrex has developed a
platform for advanced multi-energy control for hybrid power systems that are
being demonstrated at six sites in Canada. It has also initiated a project
for a new integrated variable-speed drive system for larger wind turbines
in 2004.
- Carmanah Technologies Corporation 17
continued to expand its innovative solar powered LED lighting solutions for
marine, aviation, transit, roadway, railway and mining markets. Since 1997,
it has sold more than 80 000 units in 110 countries.
A network of systems integration companies has established
distribution and dealer networks that effectively serve a growing
Canadian PV market. These include distributors for Sanyo, BP Solar, Shell Solar, Kyocera, Photowatt, Sharp and UniSolar. These modules are sold with PV module product warranties ranging from 10 to
25 years and have certified their products to international
standards.
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Market
Canada has seen a sustained domestic market growth that has
averaged 24 % over the last 11 years. It is estimated that the
Canadian PV installed capacity will reach 14 Megawatts in 2004.
In 2003, the annual PV installed based was 1,67 Megawatts,
mostly for off-grid applications (1,59 MW). It is estimated that
the Canadian PV industry generated revenues over 100 million
CAD and employed approximately 625 people in 2004.
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Future outlook
Several Canadian PV companies have invested significantly in both
the development and promotion of solar PV power systems in
Canada. This is reflected by steady growth in the installed base, as well as the significant private-sector investment in manufacturing.
Both the Canadian Solar Industries Association and Énergie Solaire
Québec have continued their promotional and marketing activities in Canada. However, more significant effort will be required to encourage the development of the grid-connected market sector in Canada.
The Net-Zero Energy Home Coalition is calling for leveraged support from the federal and provincial governments to participate in a project to construct 1500 net-zero energy homes across 5 or more regions in Canada within 3 to 5-years period as a pilot demonstration of the concept. This pilot phase would be followed by a full scale, incentivebased, early-adopters deployment program. This is a first step to enable the Coalition to reach the target by 2030 that all newly built homes in Canada meet Net Zero Energy standards.
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Footnotes with relevant web sites
- CETC-Varennes: cetc-varennes.nrcan.gc.ca
- RETScreen International Clean Energy Decision Support Centre:
www.retscreen.net/
- Climate change: www.climatechange.gc.ca
- Technology Early Action Measures (TEAM): www.climatechange.gc.ca/english/team_2004
- Net Zero Energy Home Coalition: www.associations.cc/nzeh/aboutthecoalition.htm
- R2000 Program: oee.nrcan.gc.ca
- CETC-Varennes DER: cetc-varennes.nrcan.gc.ca
- Federal House in Order: fhio.gc.ca
- Technology early Action Measures: www.climatechange.gc.ca
- Technology Partnerships Canada: tpc-ptc.ic.gc.ca
- Sustainable Development Technology Canada: www.sdtc.ca/en/index.htm
- Net-Metering Project: www.micropowerconnect.org
- Canadian Solar Industries Association: www.cansia.ca; Énergie Solaire Québec: www.esq.qc.ca/
- PDF report available from the CanSIA website: www.cansia.ca/downloads/sunnydaysahead
- Spheral Solar Power Inc.: www.spheralsolar.com/
- Xantrex Technology Inc.: www.xantrex.com/
- Carmanah Technologies Corporation: www.carmanah.com/
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Further reading about Canada
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