SFU report requires Canada to prioritize large-scale solar energy initiatives
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Dec 16, 2024
Canada ought to speed up its transition to inexperienced power by specializing in giant utility-scale photo voltaic initiatives, in line with a brand new report from Simon Fraser College’s Clear Power Analysis Group (CERG).
The report, revealed in *Photo voltaic Compass*, evaluates the present state of photo voltaic power in Canada, contrasting the advantages of expansive utility-scale photo voltaic farms with smaller, decentralized techniques like rooftop panels for houses and companies.
“Photo voltaic has main benefits over wind, geothermal, and nuclear energy as a renewable power supply,” mentioned Anil Hira, director of CERG and a political science professor at SFU. “The price of putting in photo voltaic panels has dropped by roughly 90 p.c within the final decade. Globally, solar energy generates about 4 p.c of electrical energy, however in Canada, it contributes solely 0.5 p.c. Specializing in utility-scale photo voltaic initiatives might considerably diversify Canada’s power combine, lowering overreliance on hydropower and mitigating intermittency points with wind.”
The examine attributes Canada’s lagging photo voltaic adoption to insurance policies that prioritize smaller, decentralized initiatives. These smaller techniques are politically interesting as they incentivize particular person and company investments and make the most of current infrastructure like rooftops. Nevertheless, Hira and his co-authors argue that this method falls brief in addressing the broader targets of a inexperienced power transition.
Decentralized photo voltaic techniques, the report notes, are likely to fragment electrical energy techniques, create fairness considerations, and fail to supply enough power. Wealthier owners and bigger firms are higher positioned to spend money on such techniques, whereas many areas lack the best circumstances for solar energy technology. In distinction, utility-scale photo voltaic farms are, on common, 64 p.c inexpensive than residential techniques and 50 p.c cheaper than business setups.
Though large-scale photo voltaic initiatives face challenges, together with excessive preliminary prices, public opposition, and land-use considerations, the report discovered many of those obstacles to be overstated. “The land required for large-scale photo voltaic to make a major affect is way lower than individuals assume,” the authors famous, including that progressive options might permit for dual-purpose land use the place photo voltaic panels are put in. The report suggests using public lands for such initiatives to reduce group opposition.
Examples from the US illustrate the potential of large-scale photo voltaic farms. California’s Photo voltaic Star undertaking, with 1.7 million panels spanning 13 kilometers, generates 579 megawatts of energy – sufficient for 255,000 houses. Arizona’s Mesquite Photo voltaic 1 Energy Plant, inbuilt 2013, produces 150 megawatts at a price of $600 million, supported by a $337 million U.S. Division of Power mortgage.
The examine requires proactive authorities insurance policies and monetary help to beat growth obstacles for utility-scale photo voltaic initiatives. “Whereas all scales of photo voltaic deployment have a task, nationwide insurance policies ought to prioritize the fast rollout of utility-scale initiatives in areas with optimum daylight,” mentioned CERG co-author Prasanna Krishnan. “Complete interconnection reform and help for large-scale photo voltaic farms would remodel Canada’s electrical energy techniques.”
Analysis Report:The macro view of solar policy: The case for supporting utility-scale power
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