Frequently Asked Questions About CanSIA

Do you offer incentives and/or funding?

No. CanSIA does not supply finances for solar initiatives. Click here for information on how to qualify for government incentives, and to see what incentives are available.

Do you sell products and services?

No. CanSIA does not sell solar products or services. For a list of our members who do this kind of work, please see our membership directory.

Can you tell me where to buy solar products?

Yes and no. CanSIA endorses all of our members and does not make specific recommendations. Further, we do not have supply catalogues for our members and can not tell you where to find specific products. To find suppliers, we recommend you visit our membership directory and search under the appropriate parameters to find members who offer the products and services you are looking for.

Can you tell me what products to buy and how much they will cost?

No. While we may be able to give you an extremely broad idea of what some of the technologies might run, costs vary dramatically according to installation. To find out product and installation cost estimates, we recommend you visit our membership directory in order to contact an industry member.

What companies belong to CanSIA?

Corporate and Supporter members, whose membership dues are up to date, can be found in our member directory. Simply use the search capabilities to choose a particular type of solar company or use the key word search.

I am interested in solar energy – what are my options?

You can explore our Solar 101 page or you can contact one our knowledgeable solar companies in our membership directory.

I’m interesting in getting involved in the solar industry. Where should I start?

Attending CanSIA's annual conference is a great way to network with industry members and to find out more about the solar industry. You may also wish to contact one of our members for job prospects. You may also want to explore the solar training and education link here.

I'm not sure if I am a member. How can I double-check?

Our membership directory is located here. You can check too see if you are listed, and to verify/change your listing information. Alternatively, you can email CanSIA to check on your membership status.

What companies belong to CanSIA?

Corporate and Supporter members, whose membership dues are up to date, can be found in our member directory. Simply search using the "Search by Location" option to find the member nearest you. Company contact information, and where supplied by the member, company information can be found on each directory listing.

How much does it cost to join CanSIA?

  • Corporate I:  $6,250.00 (plus applicable taxes)  [25+ employees or revenue >$3 million]
  • Corporate II: $1,800.00 (plus applicable taxes) [6 to 24 employees or revenue >$1 million]
  • Corporate III: $920.00 (plus applicable taxes)  [3 to 5 employees]
  • Corporate IV: $440.00 (plus applicable taxes) [1 to 2 employees]
  • Supporter I: $2,000.00 (plus applicable taxes)  [Large government departments, utilities, and energy regulators (non-voting)]
  • Supporter II: $1,000.00 (plus applicable taxes) [Small government departments and small local energy distribution companies (non-voting)]
  • Supporter III: $400.00 (plus applicable taxes) [Large non-profit organizations and educational institutions (non-voting)]
  • Supporter IV: $250.00 (plus applicable taxes) [Small non-profit organizations and community groups (non-voting)]
  • Advocate/Individual: $100.00 (plus applicable taxes) [Anyone not involved in commercial gain from the industry (non-voting)]
  • Advocate (Student/Senior): $50.00 (plus applicable taxes). [Students must supply copy of student ID with application (non-voting)]

I'm not ready to become a full member but I want to show my support. What are my options?

If you are not ready to become a full-fledged member or don't have a related company, you may be interested in keeping up with CanSIA's activities by joining as an advocate member. The advocate fee is $100 annually. Seniors and students are eligible for a 50% discount on the advocacy rate upon verification (student/senior ID card, driver's license).

I'm just interested in solar information. What are my options?

Visit our Resource Listing [link to /resources-links]or browse through our Solar Energy 101 section of the web site. If you are interested in acquiring print publications on solar energy, please contact the Canadian Renewable Energy Network's publication order line at 1-800-387-2000.

Please note, the CanSIA office is not equipped to answer general inquiries about solar energy and solar energy products.

Do you offer workshops and training courses on solar energy?

Yes, CanSIA does offer both workshops and training courses for members of the solar industry. Please visit our education and training section of the website for more details. A number of other non-CanSIA courses and workshops are also listed there.

I'm interested in getting involved in the solar industry. Where should I start?

Attending CanSIA's annual conference is a great way to network with industry members and to find out more about the solar industry. You may also wish to contact one of our members for job prospects. The following list of web pages should also help direct you: 
Solar training courses and workshops, 
Solar employment opportunities, 
Report - "Job Creation Potential of Solar".

How can I get my company logo on CanSIA documents?

CanSIA offers various sponsorship packages to members only. For more information about sponsorship options, please see our members side. Non-members interested in sponsoring CanSIA should contact our office.

Can I display CanSIA's logo on my web site/print materials?

CanSIA Members may use the CanSIA logo on their web site. Artwork can be found on the members area of our web site.