Report on Solar Energy in the US and Canada

The US and Canada are largely dependent on imports of fossil fuels such as oil and natural gas to meet their power requirements. During the 1970s, the US imported one-third of the total oil consumed.¹ In 2006, petroleum imports accounted for 66% of the consumption of petroleum in the US.² This puts at stake the energy self sufficiency and supply stability of the US, as a significant portion of the fossil fuel imports is sourced from regions with an unstable political climate such as the Middle East.

In addition, the consumption of fossil fuels for power generation results in the release of greenhouse gases³ that deplete the ozone layer⁴ of the atmosphere and result in global warming.

Between 1990 and 2004, its greenhouse gas emissions had increased by 15.4%.⁵ Even though the US has just 4% of the global population, it contributes 25% of the total CO2 released at the global level.⁶ The growth in population and the expansion of industries has resulted in increased demand for energy, while the fossil fuel reserves are limited in supply and are being depleted with growing consumption. Thus to increase sustainability in power generation and to reduce the impact of environmental pollution from greenhouse gas emissions, countries like the US and Canada have promoted the use of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and biomass for power generation...