Canada is currently experiencing a significant shift in its energy system with the country rapidly transitioning towards cleaner sources of energy. While hydroelectricity has historically played a dominant role in Canadian energy consumption, the expansion of solar energy is poised to become increasingly significant due to governmental initiatives, technological developments and a heightened sense of ecological responsibility.
According to IMARC Group, in 2025, Canada’s solar energy market accounted for 7.9GW in volume and was forecast to reach 14.5GW by 2034, registering a CAGR of 6.93% over the period 2026-2034.
This shift towards solar energy in Canada is driven in part by an increased focus on sustainability and a commitment to curbing carbon emissions. The Canadian government has established goals to limit greenhouse gas emissions and increase renewable energy capacity, and solar power is central to the country’s long-term energy plans.
The growth of the market is also spurred by government support and incentive programs that reduce the initial costs of solar installations, such as tax credits, grants, and rebates, thereby making solar power more readily accessible for homes, businesses and industries.
In addition, the falling cost of solar technology is also fueling its adoption. With advancements in photovoltaic systems and a higher volume of production, the prices of solar panels have fallen considerably and encouraged more and more homeowners and businesses to install solar systems in order to reduce their energy expenses and electricity reliance on fossil fuels.
Growing demand for decentralised clean energy systems has further amplified this increase in market demand, allowing citizens to generate their own power at a local level and boosting energy security for rural areas that are not connected to the electrical grid.
The leading trend in the market is the increased adoption of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems which are the preferred option for residential rooftops and large-scale power plants, due to their energy efficiency, flexibility and scalability. The market is divided into PV and concentrated solar power (CSP), with PV dominant. By application, the market has been segmented into on-grid and off-grid systems, with on-grid leading. The end users include the residential, commercial and industrial sectors; however, the residential sector is rapidly growing as more and more people install solar systems in their homes. Ontario and Alberta are leading the regional market as they are well-equipped with excellent solar irradiation, investments in infrastructure and supportive policies; British Columbia and Quebec also have a large market share.
A prominent trend emerging in the solar energy market is the incorporation of energy storage solutions with solar systems that will provide increased reliability and power efficiency during times of limited sunlight and outages. In addition, a surge in utility-scale projects indicates growing investment in solar energy at the grid level to address growing power demands more efficiently and cleanly. On the other hand, there are obstacles such as inconsistent weather conditions, high upfront costs and climactic variables that can hinder the adoption and efficiency of solar power, although ongoing research has focused on mitigating these concerns through technological innovation. The Canadian solar energy market is characterized by its unique position at the forefront of the nation’s green energy transition, solidifying its role as a critical component in Canada’s move away from fossil fuels. Continued support from the government, coupled with declining costs of technology and increasing investment are projected to further expand the market over the coming years, cementing the importance of solar power in Canada’s energy future.
Detailed Canada Solar Energy Market Market forecast and trends