In this spirit, it is inevitable that demand for alternative forms of energy production in Canada will grow. Although Canada is already using solar energy technologies, their usage is relatively small in comparison to uses of traditional forms of energy. Even though there seems to be a substantial market in Canada for solar-based products, there are some barriers that inhibit exports coming in from other countries. Canadian energy is relatively inexpensive and solar equipment can be costly. As a result, price is a major barrier to imports.
Canadian utilities have a major role in the decision to utilize solar energy.
Decreasing peak load demand is a major issue, and Canadian utilities are looking at other forms of available energy. The Canadian solar energy industry is currently small in size. Renewable energy accounts for only one percent of Canada's energy needs. Solar products sales volume was 2000 units for both residential and commercial use in 1998. Even though the current market is small, solar equipment manufacturers are projecting a ten to twenty percent commercial growth and two to five percent residential growth by 2002.