With vast resources of oil, natural gas, coal and uranium, Saskatchewan is already an energy giant - and the sun could be about to rise on a limitless "new" source of power.

OK, maybe not so new. It's solar energy - using the power of the sun to produce both electricity and create heat for homes, buildings and businesses.

It turns out that sunny Saskatchewan "has the best solar resource in Canada," according to Jon Kieran, chair of the Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA).

The sweet spot is in the southwest, south of Swift Current and Assiniboia, a region that's likely second only to desert locations like Palm Springs in California.

However, it's not just confined to that area of the province. Southern Saskatchewan's solar potential outshines that of countries with existing advanced solar energy systems. Germany, for example, is considered a world leader in solar power development, but Berlin, its capital city, is far overshadowed by Regina and Saskatoon when it comes to electricity generation potential.

The only cloud in this bright picture is that Saskatchewan's solar energy potential remains just that - potential. It's a resource that is not being exploited to any meaningful degree by government, businesses or homeowners.

A rebate program introduced by SaskPower in 2007 to encourage customers to invest in small-scale "green" power systems like solar panels ended in March this year. In contrast, Ontario Power Authority's Feed-in Tariff (FIT) program, "which offers stable prices under long-term contracts for energy generated from renewable sources" is credited with has helping the growth of large and small solar power projects in that province.

Rebate programs have traditionally been required to spur the growth of solar power systems since they are expensive to install and the payoff via cheaper electricity can take up to 10 years. Though incentive and rebate programs will remain important, Kieran says the capital cost of solar power is falling faster than any other energy source, making it an increasingly attractive proposition.

Like wind power and other alternative energy sources, solar energy is not going to replace the province's base load electrical needs, which are currently largely met by burning fossil fuels like coal and natural gas.

But solar power can help restore some clean energy balance to the grid and ease peak demand, particularly in midsummer, when air conditioning drives up power use, and also in mid-winter, when furnaces are frequently kicking in.

In an energy-rich province such as ours, solar power advocates face considerable barriers.

But casting light on alternatives can illuminate the debate about our energy future.