Solar (photovoltaic) panels cumulative capacity in Canada
Canada: Solar (photovoltaic) panels cumulative capacity was 5.77 gigawatts in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Solar (photovoltaic) panels cumulative capacity in Canada, 2004–2024
Source: IRENA (2025) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in gigawatts.
Analysis
Canada recorded 5.77 gigawatts for solar (photovoltaic) panels cumulative capacity in 2024. That is the highest value across all 21 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 8.4% on the previous year and up 268.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, solar (photovoltaic) panels cumulative capacity in Canada peaked at 5.77 gigawatts in 2024 and was at its lowest, 0.001 gigawatts, in 2004.
Canada ranks 26th of 194 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 0.0098 gigawatts | 0.001 gigawatts | 0.05 gigawatts | 6 |
| 2010s | 1.62 gigawatts | 0.188 gigawatts | 2.83 gigawatts | 10 |
| 2020s | 4.47 gigawatts | 3.07 gigawatts | 5.77 gigawatts | 5 |
Countries ranked near Canada
- 23 South Africa 8.45 gigawatts compare
- 24 Switzerland 7.76 gigawatts compare
- 25 Hungary 7.7 gigawatts compare
- 27 United Arab Emirates 5.65 gigawatts compare
- 28 Portugal 5.64 gigawatts compare
- 29 Ukraine 5.5 gigawatts compare
More energy & mining data for Canada
- Fuel imports 6.5% (2024)
- Ores and metals imports 3.2% (2024)
- Ores and metals exports 7.2% (2024)
- Gas production 2,062 terawatt-hours (2025)
- Fossil fuel production per person, by fuel 51,394 kilowatt-hours per person (2025)
- Fossil fuel production by fuel 2,062 terawatt-hours (2025)
- Gas production per person 51,394 kilowatt-hours per person (2025)
- Fuel exports 27.7% (2024)
- Electric power transmission and distribution losses 4.2% (2024)
- Share of dietary energy supply from carbohydrates vs. GDP per capita 46.5% (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is solar (photovoltaic) panels cumulative capacity in Canada?
- Solar (photovoltaic) panels cumulative capacity in Canada was 5.77 gigawatts in 2024, according to IRENA (2025) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest solar (photovoltaic) panels cumulative capacity recorded in Canada?
- The highest recorded value was 5.77 gigawatts in 2024.
- What is the lowest solar (photovoltaic) panels cumulative capacity recorded in Canada?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.001 gigawatts in 2004.
- How does Canada rank for solar (photovoltaic) panels cumulative capacity?
- Canada ranks 26th out of 194 countries with data for 2024.
- Is solar (photovoltaic) panels cumulative capacity rising or falling in Canada?
- Over the last ten years it is up 268.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Canada data come from?
- The figures come from IRENA (2025) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Solar (photovoltaic) panels cumulative capacity. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 21 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Solar photovoltaic (on-grid) electricity installed capacity, measured in gigawatts.