Grant: Applied Research Tools and Instruments Grants

The solar photovoltaic and solar thermal sectors in Canada have experienced annual growth rates of approximately 30% since the late 1990s. According to the Canadian Solar Industries Association, Canada's solar industry consisted of over 400 companies in 2009 and employed approximately 2000 people. Following growth rates elsewhere, this will grow to 50,000 persons by 2025. Witihin Canada, Ontario is a leader in the solar sector, spurred by provisions that support sustainable energy technologies in its 2009 Green Energy & Green Economy Act. Most of this is occurring in Southern Ontario, due to its favourable solar resource characteristics, urban density, energy demands and concentration of manufacturing and Research and Development (R&D). The range of solar-based technologies in use in Canada is extensive, from simple and robust solar thermal systems for residential pool heating to sophisticated solar photovoltaic technologies incorporating advanced materials and power electronics designed for grid scale electricity generation. Historically, the majority of these technologies have been developed and manufactured elsewhere, though this situation is improving with the introduction of domestic content rules. Unfortunately, most Canadian companies developing solar technologies - especially small and medium sized enterprises - do not possess the necessary research capacity to conduct extensive applied research. Neither can they justify the acquisition of such resources for what is potentially a one-time use. Through the state-of-the-art research facility requested under this ARTI application, Centennial College's Centennial Energy Institute (CEI) will become a central resource for commercial solar research and development. The Toronto Solar Radiation Network (TSRN), which Centennial College is a founding member