Here's how Canada can unlock plug-in solar, every pathway below names a specific actor with the authority to act and the legal basis they would use.
How it could change. Cross-portfolio coordination, convene CSA + provinces + utilities
The CSA standard, the CEC amendment, and provincial adoption are interlocked. Federal ministerial leadership convening CSA Group, the provincial regulators, and utility associations accelerates the timeline from years to months.
Legal basis: Standards Council of Canada Act; Federal-Provincial-Territorial Energy and Mines Ministers' Conference framework.
Does this need new legislation? No
Example elsewhere. The same convening pattern accelerated the EV charging standards work (CSA + ISED + provinces, 2018-2022).
How it could change. CEC carve-out for certified plug-in solar ≤1200W on dedicated circuits
The CEC currently requires hardwired interconnection for all grid-connected generation under Section 64. A specific carve-out for UL 3700-certified systems on a dedicated circuit (≤1200W AC, anti-islanding mandatory) preserves the safety frame while opening the plug-in pathway.
Legal basis: The Canadian Electrical Code is a CSA standard (CSA C22.1) that provinces adopt by reference. Section 64 amendments are made through the CEC Part I Section 64 Subcommittee.
Does this need new legislation? No
Example elsewhere. Section 64 already has size-tiered rules. Adding a category-tiered carve-out for certified plug-in equipment follows the same pattern.
How it could change. Adopt UL 3700 (ANSI/CAN/UL 3700) as a CSA standard
CSA has confirmed plug-in solar 'falls outside our current certification frameworks.' Adopting UL 3700, already published as a bi-national ANSI/CAN designation, closes the certification gap and gives Canadian retailers and inspectors a recognised product standard to point to.
Legal basis: CSA Group standards adoption is the responsibility of CSA, a federally-recognised standards development organisation.
Does this need new legislation? No
Example elsewhere. Canada has historically adopted UL standards bi-nationally. UL 1741 / CSA C22.2 No. 107.1 (anti-islanding inverters) is precedent for the exact pattern.