Driving innovation and industrial growth in the Ontario solar energy sector

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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