Electricity Generation and Uses in Canada and Why Solar Is the Future
Canada’s grid is already relatively low-carbon. In 2023, hydropower supplied over half of Canada’s electricity, nuclear contributed about 14%, and wind + solar together were just over 7%—meaning a large share of generation came from low- or non-emitting sources. Still, this doesn’t tell the whole story for Canadians today. Solar is scaling quickly, alongside wind, from a small starting point. Prices have been falling, and more families can now realistically add solar power or use portable power stations at home.
What Are the Existing Sources of Electricity for Canada?
Canada’s system is a bit different from many countries, so it helps to understand how the electricity market is set up before talking about why solar matters for the next phase.
Hydroelectric Power: The Main Power Source
Hydro is the backbone of Canada’s electricity supply. Recent national data shows hydropower remains the backbone of Canada’s electricity supply, providing over half of total generation in 2023. That’s largely because Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Newfoundland and Labrador have abundant water resources and long-standing hydro infrastructure.
Nuclear Power: Approximately 14%
Nuclear provides about 14% of Canada’s electricity, concentrated mainly in Ontario and New Brunswick. Ontario’s Bruce Nuclear Generating Station is often described as one of the largest nuclear generating stations in the world. Natural gas generation is especially important in Alberta and Saskatchewan, where hydro resources are more limited.
Wind, Solar, and New Energy Resources
Wind has grown substantially over the past decade and now represents a mid-single-digit share of total generation. Together, wind and solar accounted for 7.2% in 2023. Solar is still a small piece of the mix—under 1% in 2023—but it has been steadily rising. The Canadian Renewable Energy Association notes that Canada’s solar market expanded dramatically from 2015 to 2023.
Regional Variations in the Fuel Mix
The mix varies widely by province. Quebec generates the vast majority of its electricity from hydro. Other provinces lean more on different combinations of nuclear, hydro, and gas. Alberta, in particular, has historically relied heavily on gas, though it has been adding more wind and solar capacity over time.
What is the Role of Renewable Energy Resources?
It is helpful to understand how electricity is consumed in order to see how solar energy can help improve the finances of households and reduce carbon emissions.
Household Energy Consumption
Homes consume quite a lot of electricity, and this is largely for space cooling and heating, and then for water heating, appliances, and lighting. Household electricity use varies widely by province and heating type, but many homes consume a substantial amount of electricity each year, especially where electric space heating is common. Electricity demand also varies by province—especially depending on whether space heating is primarily electric and how energy prices are structured locally.
Commercial and Public Buildings Demand
Office complexes, shopping malls, schools, and hospitals consume a significant amount of electricity in Canada. Office complexes are increasingly turning to solar roofs to reduce electricity costs.
Industrial Electricity Demand
Power is also employed by manufacturing, mining, and processing plants. Industries such as aluminum smelting, paper, pulp, and oil refining require immense power, though most factories do not use solar energy.
Electrification of Transportation
As EV adoption rises year by year, some households will see noticeable new electricity demand from home charging, depending on driving habits and charging efficiency. The incremental demand per household from the addition of one electric vehicle varies by thousands of kilowatt-hours per year.
Why Solar Power Will Define the Electric Future of Canada
Even with cold winters that last for many months, solar power is becoming more and more popular in Canada. Below are some reasons for its popularity.
Increased Solar Capacity
Canada has seen steady year-over-year growth in solar installations, with Ontario and Alberta among the more active markets. Ontario and Alberta are among the more active markets for residential and small commercial solar.
The Price Is Dropping
The price of solar panels has reduced considerably since 2010. The solar panels that exist today are less expensive compared to the past, even before the consideration of rebates. Panel technology has improved over time, and today’s modules generally deliver better performance per square metre than older generations.
Climate Aims
Canada has a target of net-zero emissions by 2050. The federal government launched the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan, with a target of a net-zero power sector by 2035. Solar is at the forefront of this, with provincial initiatives helping move the solar agenda along.
Resilient Distributed Energy Resources
The sheer size of Canada and the fact that many of its communities are far away from major power stations make the use of distributed energy intelligent. The use of solar energy, where it is consumed, reduces energy losses during transmission. In addition, when it comes to providing backup power sources, solar energy combined with batteries is often more economical than diesel, especially for long-duration or repeat-use backup needs where fuel delivery is costly.
What are the Current Solar Power Options for Canadians?
You don’t have to wait for the government to implement solar programs or for the conditions to be ideal to go solar. There are many available solar solutions that can be used in Canadian homes.
Solar Panel Systems on Roofs
However, solar panels that are connected to the power grid are most preferred. They can sell any surplus electricity to the power company. Credits for this electricity are usually offered through net metering regulations, which are common in most provinces. For residential purposes, solar power is able to meet most of your electricity requirements.
Advantages of Portable Power Stations
Portable power stations have become quite trendy in Canada for several reasons. First, these batteries store electricity from solar panels or from a wall outlet and can charge you wherever you go. They can be quite effective for camping or in areas where there is no power grid. Some LFP-based power stations can operate in cold conditions, but output and charging performance can be limited by temperature, and many systems restrict charging in sub-zero weather.
Solar Battery Storage
Batteries for homes allow solar power storage that can be utilized during the night or during a power outage. Home battery storage is still a significant investment, and installed costs can vary widely depending on capacity, electrical work, and local incentives.
Another route is a modular, expandable backup system. EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra X is one example, where capacity can scale up over time and higher-output backup is possible for more demanding home loads when properly integrated.
Off-Grid and Backup Power Solutions
For cabin use, travel trailers, or in a pinch for small solar systems, it is just fine. A small portable solar setup can cover basic essentials (lights, phones, a laptop, and limited fridge runtime) for short periods, though real-world duration depends heavily on loads and weather. Many Canadians begin with a portable solar setup before upgrading to a rooftop solar installation.
Building a Resilient Solar Home
Canada’s electricity future is bright, and solar is becoming a practical part of everyday home energy. If the goal is to cut peak-hour bills, add outage protection, and make solar power more usable after sunset, a battery-based setup is often the most direct next step, and the EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra X is a strong example of a high-output, expandable backup system to consider when building a more resilient solar-powered home.
FAQs
Q1. How Much Sunlight Is Available in Canada to Harness Solar Power?
In many parts of southern Canada, solar resource is strong enough for residential systems to make sense. Panels also work well in winter; cold temperatures can improve efficiency, and snow reflection can boost production on clear days (while heavy snow cover can reduce output until panels clear).
Q2. Can I Use Solar Power Even When My Roof Is Not Facing South?
Completely. Even in the case of an east- or west-facing roof, you’ll be able to harness most of the energy you could from a south-facing system. You may even be able to harness energy from a roof facing north, just not as effectively. If it doesn’t work well on your roof, you could also go for ground-mounted solar panels.
Q3. What Will Happen to My Solar Panels During a Blackout?
In the case of the standard grid connection, the solar power system turns off during a power outage to protect the workers against the danger of electricity in the power lines. If you have batteries, you can provide power to the necessary circuits during the outage. Another backup solution to solar power is the power station.