How much potential does solar energy have to become a major energy source for Canadians?

Answer 1

Not as much as other countries. I have lived off solar power and it has many advantages but cost is not one of them, neither is availability. I used batteries to store the energy for a few days of dark but that option isn't cost effective on a large scale. Molten salt or sulfur might be.

Such energies as solar have a maximum contribution to the grid. To connect power sources like Wind and Solar to the Electrical grid they need to be backed up by conventional sources.

In other words the wind doesn't always blow and the sun does not always shine. Which means connecting too much of that type of power to the electrical grid puts the whole grid at risk. Right now, without a smart grid in place, 15% is about the maximum any grid can handle.

Canada also has many other options, including Nuclear, oil, gas, hydroelectric, clean coal, and even tidal power all Canadian sources no need for imports. For solar to be a major energy source it would have to compete with those.

Right now wind and solar are expanding in Canada but only in protected markets and with taxpayers money. Where solar does very well is in stand alone systems that are not easily or cheaply connected to the grid. That is where I've used solar and it works great. Not cheaper to set up than a natural gas or diesel generator based system but cheaper to operate and much quieter and cleaner which is worth a lot to me.

BTW Canada is a large country with a sustainable population. With 3.5 people per sq/km Canada sinks more carbon than it emits. We would not use our nuclear fuel in our Canadian built reactors to reduce our CO2 loading on the planets atmosphere as we are already sinking more than any other nation.