Photovoltaic solar energy in the Quebec and Canadian energy mix - Analysis and outlook

Photovoltaic solar energy is attracting growing interest around the world, and Quebec is no exception. With the programs that have been put in place, Canada and Quebec offer interesting options for making the energy transition to a low-carbon economy a success.

This study is the first in-depth look at the potential and role of photovoltaic (PV) solar energy in Quebec's energy mix. It highlights the successes and failures in Canada, Quebec and elsewhere in the world, and draws up recommendations on how to integrate solar PV in Quebec, taking into account the province's specific characteristics.

This reference work contributes to structuring the solar PV industry in Quebec, as well as developing a market and a value chain. The study is aimed at political and regulatory decision-makers, the photovoltaic solar industry, research players and potential users of solar technologies.

Highlights

• In 2019, the worldwide cumulative capacity of solar photovoltaic (PV) installations stood at almost 578 GW, accounting for almost 23% of global energy production from renewable sources.
• Worldwide, the cost of solar PV technologies has fallen by around 85% in the last ten years.
• In Canada, the cumulative installed capacity of grid-connected solar PV systems was estimated, at the end of 2019, at 3.3 GW. Ontario accounts for 94% of solar PV installations in Canada, with an installed capacity of 3.14 GW.
• With just 6.25 MW of total installed capacity in 2019, or less than 1% of the Quebec energy mix, Quebec ranks seventh in Canada in terms of cumulative installed capacity. However, Quebec will double or more this capacity when Hydro-Québec's two solar power plants at La Prairie and Varennes, totalling 9.5 MW, come on stream in 2021.
• Quebec has a great deal of untapped solar energy potential.
  In view of the growing energy demand in Quebec over the next decade, it would be appropriate to add PV solar energy to our current energy mix in a much more ambitious way to meet this demand.