Natural Resources Canada (NRC) reports the use of solar photovoltaics in Canada has grown at an average annual rate of 29 percent over the past seven years. In1999, installed capacity broke the 5 megawatt level with total revenues estimated at $40 million. The industry provided 250 jobs in 1999. Primary markets are remote installations, highway departments, and oil companies for powering remote devices that monitor oil and gas flows through Canadian pipelines. Their report covers the sale of PV modules larger than 40 watts, and notes that there is also a strong retail market for smaller modules used in solar lanterns and garden lights. Exports represent only 6 percent of PV sales in Canada.
U.S. solar manufacturers report that 1999 shipments were over 50 percent higher than 1998. This is the 14th consecutive annual increase, due largely to a strong export market that accounts for three quarters of shipments. The primary U.S. market has traditionally been remote stand-alone units, but grid-connected projects doubled from 1998-1999, to 25,000 kW. The average price of PV cells declined by a third, dropping to $2.01 per peak watt. Module prices also declined. The total value of shipments increased by 21 percent last year, to $224 million. More than 45 percent of exports went to Europe and 39 percent to Asia.
Contact Lisa Dignard-Bailey, Section Head, Photovoltaic Energy Technology Program.
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FROM
The Gallon Letter
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