SOLAR Solar technology is the world s fastest-growing energy sector, with global demand growing by more than 44% per year between 2000 and 2010. North America is the world s third-largest solar photovoltaic market, and Canada s privileged access to American markets coupled with its competitive business environment and skilled work force makes Canada an ideal place to invest. Canada has international leadership in solar thermal applications and off-grid expertise Installed generation and export capacity is expected to remain strong throughout the decade Canada is home to about 350 solar energy companies that include both solar photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal applications. Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA) has been promoting the sector for almost 20 years Generous federal and provincial commitments to the sector have bolstered innovation Billions of investment dollars in research and manufacturing Strong export base in niche solar PV components like solar charge controllers, inverters, rectifiers and other balance of system components Domestic solar PV sector reached 102 megawatts of installed capacity in 2009 an increase of 211% compared to 2008 Growth in solar thermal continues to expand at a compound annual rate of 20%, as it has since 2000 Photo courtesy of Morgan Solar Inc. Day4 Energy Day4 Energy designs and manufactures highperformance solar electric modules for customers throughout Europe and North America. It is known for its proprietary Day4 Electrode, which represents a novel and highly efficient way to interconnect photovoltaic cells and collect the power they generate. Day4 also designs and manufactures turnkey solar PV modules and integrated solar solutions.
Solar technology clusters in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia One of the world s most competitive investment locations Lowest operating costs in the G7 for sophisticated manufacturing companies Sophisticated infrastructure for research and testing, and highly skilled workforce Proximity and close integration with the growing solar industry in the United States Conserval Engineering Inc. For over 30 years, Conserval has developed and commercialized solar air heating products for commercial, industrial, multi-residential and agricultural applications. It is best known for its proprietary SolarWall technology, which is a solar air heating system that gives one of the fastest returns on investment possible for solar technology by offsetting traditional heating loads. Conserval is also marketing PV/T (photovoltaic + solar thermal) technology. This total energy solution pairs SolarWall with PV to accelerate payback, and generates up to 400% more usable energy than SolarWall alone. It is available in a modular rooftop system called SolarDuct PV/T, and is a new paradigm in terms of solar cogeneration systems. Photo courtesy of Conserval Engineering Inc. What Canada Can Provide Suite of niche solar components and services for both solar PV and solar thermal Canada s solar sector is poised to be a key player in an exciting global market. World Renowned Expertise Canadian firms offer particular expertise in the globally competitive solar landscape, both in solar photovoltaic and solar thermal applications. Technology Strengths Solar PV Producer of high-quality crystalline and polycrystalline silicone, the raw material used to manufacture energy-producing solar cells PV concentrator technology Strong export base in niche solar PV components like solar charge controllers, inverters, rectifiers and other balance of system components Solar powered LED technology Cold climate expertise Portable solar chargers for consumer electronics PV manufacturing equipment Off-grid applications, useful in remote locations Novel PV module products
Services Strengths Solar PV Design and development of solar charges, and power sources for portable power and consumer electronics Consulting services for site assessment and load analysis Expertise in design of solar electric systems for off-grid, remote locations Technology Strengths Solar Thermal Easy to install, off-the-shelf solar hot water and space heating products Significant Canadian corporate presence in the US for evacuated tube and flat-plate solar thermal collectors Solar heating systems for commercial and multiunit applications Freeze-protected designs for extreme climate conditions Solar heating systems for recreational swimming pools, Wall-mounted solar thermal units for space heating and industrial drying Solar air heating systems for crop drying and other industrial applications Service Strengths Solar Thermal Growing expertise in large-scale seasonal storage of solar thermal Design of concentrated solar combined solar heat and power units Installation capabilities for both turn-key units and bespoke designs Service and installation experience in remote, cold climates ARISE Technologies Corporation ARISE Technologies Corporation, based in Waterloo, Ontario, is a leader in high-performance, cost-effective solar technology. The company operates through three divisions. The PV Cell Division manufactures PV (photovoltaic) cells at its first manufacturing plant opened in April 2008 in Bischofswerda, Germany. The division is developing proprietary technology with a target of achieving a step-by-step progression to a highefficiency level of greater than 20%. The PV Silicon Division is using a proprietary method to produce silicon at 7N+ high-purity (99.99999% purity) for PV cell applications, based on a simplified chemical vapor deposition process. The division is focusing on scaling up its process to provide ARISE with control over its supply, costs, and quality. The PV Systems Division has been providing PV solutions for solar farms and rooftop installations since 1996 throughout North America. ARISE is planning to expand its systems business in Ontario under the Ontario FIT (Feed-In Tariff) program. Photo courtesy of ARISE Technologies The Sky s the Limit Canada s solar thermal sector has been expanding at a compound annual rate of 20% for over a decade
Leading Research Institutions Canadian universities have a strong presence in solar research. Over 50 university researchers in five provinces are working to enhance materials efficiencies, develop semiconductor nanowires and other nanostructures for solar cells, and explore dozens of other specific research questions. Centre for Advanced Photovoltaic Devices and Systems (CAPDS) The University of Waterloo is promoting cuttingedge research through its Centre for Advanced Photovoltaic Devices and Systems. Its 14,000 ft2 (1,300 m2) dedicated research space became fully operational in 2010 and supports: Development of semiconductor base materials Design and production of advanced PV devices and modules Fabrication of nanotechnologies for PV Testing and characterization of PV materials, devices and systems The University of Toronto s Advanced Photovoltaics and Devices Group focuses on innovation and technology developments in photovoltaics, and integrates the fields of photonics and electronics for solar applications. The centre focuses on: High efficiency silicon photovoltaics Photonic crystals Optical coatings and photonic materials MicroPower sources and micro- and nanoelectromechanical systems sensors Solar Photovoltaic Innovation Network Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada s (NSERC) Solar Photovoltaic Innovation Network was launched in 2010 and is housed at McMaster University. The Network aims to raise the status of solar PV as a renewable energy source by accelerating R&D and commercializing outcomes. Research areas include: organic and inorganic devices; hybrid organic/inorganic devices; new PV devices and architectures; and transparent solar cells. Canadian Solar Buildings Research Network (SBRN) SBRN is the centre for Canada s research and development into solar buildings. It advances innovation in the use solar energy production and efficiency in commercial, institutional and residential buildings in Canada. World Class Universities Canada is home to the most educated population in the world, with the highest rate of graduates from tertiary education programs in the OECD. Completion of Post-Secondary Education, Population 25-64 years (2008)
Photo courtesy of Conserval Engineering Inc. Leading Canadian Companies Canadian is home to established and emerging leaders in the global solar industry. Those featured here represent just a small sample of Canada s solar industry success stories. Canadian Solar Inc.: As one of the world s largest solar module producers, Canadian Solar Inc. is a leading vertically integrated provider of ingots, wafers, solar cells, solar modules, solar power systems and specialized solar products. It has seven wholly-owned manufacturing subsidiaries with a total combined facility space of close to 256,439 m 2, has a module capacity of 1.3 GW, and operates in Canada, Germany, the United States, China, Japan, Korea and Italy. 6N Silicon: 6N s proprietary low-cost silicon purification process provides a revolutionary approach to the production of solar grade silicon for the photovoltaic industry. By converting cheap, readily available metallurgical grade silicon directly into solar-grade silicon, 6N is able to avoid the chemically-intensive and expensive process employed by the semiconductor industry. By significantly reducing the cost and energy consumed to purify the principal material used in the manufacturing of crystalline photovoltaic cells, the project aims speed up the adoption and growth of photovoltaic power. Carmanah Technologies Inc.: Carmanah is demonstrating an adaptation of solar-powered LED technology to edge-lit lighting and signage, which will lead to the development of a more diverse and robust solar industry. This project is expected to enable solar-powered lighting to enter mainstream applications and provide enhanced safety and security to Canada's roads and public transit systems. Cyrium Technologies: Cyrium Technologies is a fabless Concentrator Photovoltaic (CPV) cell manufacturer that uses nanotechnology to provide cost effective, high efficiency solutions for terrestrial solar applications. Leveraging more than a decade of R&D in the area of semiconductor quantum dots, Cyrium is able to provide CPV system manufacturers with very high conversion efficiencies.
Poised for the Future The worldwide market for clean energy technology is growing fast. Between 2000 and 2010 installed global solar capacity grew at over 44% per year. Growing concerns about climate change, clean air, the need for a safe, reliable and secure energy supply, and the expanding energy needs of the developing world are stimulating the market. Morgan Solar Inc. Morgan Solar is combining revolutionary optics with well-established manufacturing processes to develop next generation solar power systems that are significantly less expensive than traditional technologies. Morgan Solar s Sun Simba is a fully engineered, modular concentrating solar panel that uses a proprietary mass-produced Light-Guide Solar Optic (LSO). The LSO traps and redirects sunlight, concentrating it onto a small, high-efficiency solar PV cell attached to the optic s centre. Morgan Solar s re-imagined design vastly improves efficiency, dissipates heat, is lightweight, low cost, and made of proven, long-lasting materials. Commercial sales of the Sun Simba will begin in Ontario in Q3 of 2011. Panels will be available in the United States and other markets pending international certification. Photo courtesy of Morgan Solar Inc. Solid, Sustained Sector Growth Solar technology is the fastest-growing renewable sector in the world, driven by particularly strong demand in China, the United States, Japan, and throughout the European Union. Canada is ready to take advantage of this opportunity. It has: Well-established links to global supply chains and distribution channels; Domestic growth of between 20-30% per year for the past decade, and accelerating over the past four years; More than 350 solar companies with over 3,000 employees; and, Generous provincial and federal incentives for manufacturing and deployment. Low-Cost, High-Skill Business Environment Canada is widely regarded as one of the best places in the world to do business. Canada offers: Among the lowest business taxes in the world Lowest operating costs in the G7 for sophisticated manufacturing companies Most generous R&D funding in the world, combining provincial and federal incentives
A highly-educated workforce, as well as an available workforce with production line manufacturing skills Among the lowest water and electricity rates for large industrial users Canada is Prepared to Capitalize on Solar Technology Costs of electricity from solar PV generation are already competitive with peak rates in many parts of the world, and costs continue to fall as production capacity and deployment increases. Whether driven by its low-carbon characteristics, energy security benefits, predictable long-term generation costs, insurability, or multi-scale, geography-independent deployment options, solar PV is a versatile and attractive option. Solar thermal shares most of these attributes, and represents a straightforward retrofit option to reduce the space and hot water heating load in all sectors. Canada has already received billions of dollars in foreign direct investment in the solar sector and is prepared to grow alongside this burgeoning market. Canada is ready. Canada One of the World s Most Competitive Investment Locations It s impossible to pinpoint a single reason to invest in one of the most dynamic economies in the world. Canada boasts multiple advantages and unparalleled potential a place where businesses can achieve excellence on a global scale. People Advantage: Canada is a nation of intelligent, educated workers, ranking #1 in the OECD in higher education achievement. Business Environment Advantage: The Economic Intelligence Unit has rated Canada the #1 place to do business in the G7 for the next five years. Economic Advantage: Canada is better placed than many countries to weather the global financial turbulence and worldwide recession. Tax Advantage: Canada offers businesses low tax rates, boasting the lowest payroll taxes among the G7 countries. NAFTA Advantage: Canada s NAFTA advantage gives investors access to more than 443 million consumers and a combined GDP of more than US$15.4 trillion. The Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative (APGCI): Take advantage of Canada s strategic location as the crossroads between the North American marketplace and the booming economies of Asia. Transportation Advantage: Canada has sophisticated infrastructure and a highly developed transportation network. Life Style Advantage: World-class universities, a universally acclaimed health care system, clean, friendly cities and spectacular scenery make Canada a great place to invest, work, live and raise a family.
Learn More About Canadian Expertise Canadian Trade Commissioner Service The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service is a key resource for anyone interested in doing business internationally. Our global network of trade offices and dedicated officers are there to provide assistance and resources to maximize engagement with companies and government. For more information on Canadian expertise, we encourage you to contact one of Canada s local Trade Commissioners. You can access our knowledge and networks at: www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca. Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada: www.international.gc.ca Industry Canada, Industry Sector: www.ic.gc.ca National Research Council Canada, Industrial Research Assistance Program: www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irap.htm Natural Resources Canada, CanmetENERGY: canmetenergy.nrcan.gc.ca Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) : www.sdtc.ca Canadian Solar Industries Association: www.cansia.ca Énergie Solaire Québec: www.esq.qc.ca Solar and Sustainable Energy Society of Canada Inc.: www.sesci.ca Centre for Advanced Photovoltaic Devices and Systems: www.capds.uwaterloo.ca Advanced Photovoltaics and Devices (ADP) Group: www.ecf.utoronto.ca/~kherani Solar Photovoltaic Innovation Network: www.pvinnovation.ca Canadian Solar Buildings Research Network (SBRN): www.solarbuildings.ca Soderglen EcoPower Centre (Alberta, Canada)