Industry Insight
Is Solar a Necessary Step Forward?
How solar fits into Canada's renewable energy mix alongside wind, hydro, marine and bioenergy, and what it means for Ontario homeowners and businesses.
How solar fits into Canada's renewable energy mix alongside wind, hydro, marine and bioenergy, and what it means for Ontario homeowners and businesses.
Canada has set a goal of reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, a target enshrined in law through the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act of 2021. The target is meant to align Canada with the global effort to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, and the federal government has set out a climate plan, "A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy," to help get there. So is solar a necessary step forward? To answer that, it helps to see where solar sits among Canada's renewable energy options, and what that means for people in Ontario deciding whether to go solar themselves.
Around the world, the production and use of energy is responsible for most human-caused greenhouse gas emissions. That includes electricity generation, transportation, oil and gas production, and the heating and cooling of buildings. According to the International Energy Agency, which tracks global energy trends at iea.org, the energy sector is the largest source of emissions, which is why shifting how we generate electricity matters so much.
Canada's renewable generation has grown in the last decade, with solar and wind among the fastest-growing sources. Policy, costs and guidelines differ from province to province, and that is where most of the debate and complexity around solar arises. Ontario, with its large electricity market and many sunny rooftops, is a natural place for solar growth. Notably, one of Canada's largest solar power plants is in Sarnia, Ontario.
Wind turbines capture the kinetic energy of moving air and convert it to electricity. Turbines are usually installed in groups called wind farms, placed in locations with strong, steady wind. Wind power needs no fuel and does not produce greenhouse gas emissions or air pollution while operating, and its output can feed the grid or power nearby facilities.
Because the water cycle constantly refills itself, hydropower is considered renewable. Flowing water turns turbines and generators, and the resulting electricity is fed into the grid for homes, businesses and industry. Hydropower uses water without consuming it, returning it downstream. Canada has a long history with hydroelectric generation, and Ontario's power mix includes it.
Solar thermal systems capture the sun's heat rather than converting light into electricity. A large share of Canada's building energy use goes to heating, which makes solar air heating and water heating a good fit for the Canadian climate. Canada has been recognized as a leader in solar air collector technology, and there is a medium to large market for these systems.
Photovoltaic (PV) technology is the option most homeowners think of when they hear "solar." Its growth in Canada has been driven by the need to reduce emissions, falling equipment prices, and changes in how electricity markets are structured. The key component is the photovoltaic cell, which converts absorbed sunlight directly into electric current through the photovoltaic effect. A rooftop PV system can supply a good share of a household's annual electricity, and larger commercial arrays can power warehouses, farms and offices. See how this works for businesses on our commercial solar page and for homes on our residential solar page.
The gravitational pull of the moon and sun creates tides, and tidal energy captures that movement to generate electricity. It is not as common in Canada because of high investment costs and ecological considerations, but it is predictable and has real potential. British Columbia has seen much of the early development, along with projects on Canada's east coast, and the scalability of marine energy is appealing.
Bioenergy comes from organic materials and their by-products. It makes up a modest share of Canada's total energy supply and can be used for transportation fuels, agriculture and heating. Biofuels, biomass and biogas all fall under the bioenergy umbrella, and the sector offers a chance to reduce waste while producing energy. Natural Resources Canada publishes data on all of these sources at natural-resources.canada.ca.
No single technology will get Canada to net zero on its own, and the most realistic path uses a mix: wind, hydro, solar, storage and efficiency working together. But solar has a special advantage that the others do not: it can be installed right where people live and work, on rooftops that are already there. It needs no new land, can start producing power the day it is commissioned, and lets households and businesses take part directly in the energy transition while lowering their own electricity costs.
For Ontario homeowners, solar is also a practical financial decision, not just an environmental one. A well-designed system produces power for decades, and pairing it with battery storage can add backup power. Programs and incentives change, so check our incentives page for what is available today.
It is also worth remembering that the energy transition is not only about generating power but about using it wisely. Efficiency upgrades, smarter heating and cooling, and electric transportation all increase the value of locally produced solar electricity, because they let you use more of what your own roof makes. Together these steps make households and businesses more resilient to changes in energy prices and supply.
If you are considering solar in the Greater Toronto Area, Terawatt Solar can help. Our ESA-licensed in-house crews design and install systems, handle utility paperwork and offer a free site assessment. Read Is Solar Worth It in Ontario? for the cost side, explore battery storage, or contact us to get started.
Canada has legislated a goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 through the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, passed in 2021.
Solar thermal captures the sun's heat for space or water heating, while solar photovoltaic (PV) converts sunlight directly into electricity.
