<Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> <P> Historically, the main applications of solar energy technologies in Canada have been non-electric active solar system applications for space heating, water heating and drying crops and lumber . In 2001, there were more than 12,000 residential solar water heating systems and 300 commercial / industrial solar hot water systems in use . These systems presently comprise a small fraction of Canada's energy use, but some government studies suggest they could make up as much as five per cent of the country's energy needs by the year 2025 . </P> <P> Photovoltaic (PV) cells are increasingly used as standalone units, mostly as off - grid distributed electricity generation to power remote homes, telecommunications equipment, oil and pipeline monitoring stations and navigational devices . The Canadian PV market has grown quickly and Canadian companies make solar modules, controls, specialized water pumps, high efficiency refrigerators and solar lighting systems . Grid - connected solar PV systems have grown significantly in recent years, and reached over 1.8 GW of cumulative installed capacity by the end of 2014 . </P> <P> Canada has plentiful solar energy resources thanks to its large area, with the most extensive resources being found in southern Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario . The country has however a relatively low level of solar irradiance due to its high latitude . This, combined with cloud cover, results in a low 6% capacity factor, compared to a 15% capacity factor in the United States . The northern territories have a smaller solar potential, and less direct sunlight, because of their even higher latitude . </P>

Where is solar energy most used in canada