New Consumer Guide Encourages Canadians to Go Solar

July 29, 2024

The Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) launched the 2024 edition of its highly anticipated annual Go Solar Guide today. This free consumer guide contains everything homeowners and small business owners need to know when planning their solar installation projects.

The Go Solar Guide 2024 is available for free on CanREA’s website. 

CanREA’s Go Solar Guide answers consumers’ most important questions, such as how solar PV harnesses the power of the sun, what rooftop and other structural factors need to be considered before installing a system, what questions to ask solar installer companies, and how to determine the solar potential of a home or business.

It also provides detailed, useful and current information on how to finance a solar project across Canada.

“This year, several Canadian jurisdictions have announced new financial incentive programs designed to encourage homeowners and small business owners to invest in solar installations,” said Vittoria Bellissimo, CanREA President and CEO. “CanREA tracks these announcements carefully and provides up-to-date information in our annual Go Solar Guide, as well as timely updates through our newsletters, social media and website.”

This year’s Go Solar Guide includes a directory of 45 solar installers and 14 equipment suppliers and other service providers serving provinces across Canada, all CanREA members in good standing who have signed the CanREA member code of conduct. This makes it easy for Canadians from coast to coast to find a local CanREA member company to install their solar PV system.

In Canada, solar PV systems installed on residential, commercial and industrial rooftops are currently providing 1.2 GW of solar power directly to those homes and businesses. Canadians added 86 MW of new on-site solar in 2023 alone, according to CanREA’s annual data report.

Why are so many Canadians opting to go solar? In addition to the environmental benefits, it increases a family’s energy independence and saves them money on their utility bills. What’s more, when paired with energy storage, a solar home is better prepared for power outages or natural disasters.

“It’s clear why more and more consumers are choosing to generate their own solar energy on-site, and it’s also interesting how this trend can benefit the electricity system,” said Bellissimo. “When less electricity needs to be purchased from the grid, this can help mitigate the need to build new utility-scale electricity generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure, which can then reduce overall costs for the electricity system. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

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