History

The Canadian Solar Industries Association was formed in 1978 to serve the interests of Canada's solar thermal industry, and was known as the CSIA. The Canadian Photovoltaic Industries Association (CPIA) was formed in 1989 to represent the interests of the new PV industry. Due to cutbacks of financial support from the federal government in the early 1990s the two associations, with common goals and utilizing the same energy source as the basis of their technologies, joined together in 1992 to promote the professional and practical use of solar technologies in Canada. CSIA merged with CPIA in 1992, and the Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA) has existed in this form since then.

CanSIA is a federally registered not-for-profit association whose membership is comprised of individuals, companies and governments sharing an interest in solar technology. As set out by CanSIA's bylaws (revised Sping 2009) it is managed and represented by an elected board of Directors comprised of 10 Directors. The term for board members is two years with half of the director seats elected by ballot each year prior to the Annual General Meeting.