Solar PV is a proven technology
- With annual growth rates of 25-35% over the last 10 years, solar PV has become the fastest growing energy source in the world.
- The global installed capacity of solar PV in 2004 was over 2,500 MW, which since has grown exponentially.
- According to the International Energy Agency – 78% of PV systems sold annually are now grid-connected globally.
- In 2004 Germany installed over 360MW of solar PV in a little over 6 weeks, representing a growth of 87%.
- Whereas in 2005 Canada had about 13 MW of installed capacity, Germany had over 1,300 MW.
- Canada has fallen behind other industrialized nations in the growth of PV markets.
- Less than 3.5% of the Canadian solar PV market is grid-connected, which represents the potential for substantial growth in the market.
| Area | Target | Agency |
| Global | 205,000 MW by 2020 | Greenpeace & European Photovoltaic Industry Association |
| Germany | 300 MW by 2005 | National Government |
| Japan | 100,000 MW by 2030 | National Government |
| Holland | 1,500 MW by 2020 | National Government |
| US | 290,000 MW by 2025 | Solar Catalyst Group |
| California | 3,000 MW by 2017 | California Public Utilities Commission |
| Canada | 1,000 MW by 2025 200 MW by 2015 |
Pollution Probe Clean Air Renewable Energy Coalition |
| Ontario* | 1,000 MW by 2020 1,263 MW by 2025 |
Pembina Institute David Suzuki Foundation |
Source: CanSIA
PV Potential in Ontario
The solar potential in Ontario is huge.
Consider the following CanSIA data:
- Over 47% of Ontario homes have the potential of installing a 3 kW solar PV system on their roofs.
- It is technically feasible to install over 3,000 MW of PV on single, detached homes in Ontario.
- Commercial buildings have the capacity of providing a further 2,500 MW. Toronto alone has the potential of installing over 1,300 MW of solar PV electricity.
- By 2025 CanSIA has targeted solar PV to supply 10% of Ontario’s electricity demand.