Incentives
Combine Federal Loans + BC Rebates for $0 Upfront Costs & Maximum Cash Back
Canada Greener Homes Loan
Finance 100% of your solar installation with $0 interest
- Loan Amount: Up to $40,000
- Term: 10 years interest-free
- Upfront Advance: Get 15% upfront (25% for Northern/off-grid homes) for contractor deposits
- Eligible Upgrades: Solar panels, batteries, heat pumps, insulation
Key Eligibility Rules:
- Primary residence in Canada
- Pre-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation required (after April 1, 2020)
- No work started before loan approval – retrofits begun early are ineligible
- Credit check required (no bankruptcies/consumer proposals) 25
BC Hydro Self Generation Program: Up to $10,000 Cash Back
Residential homeowners can claim dual rebates for solar panels and battery storage:
- Solar Panels: $1,000 per kilowatt (kW) installed → up to $5,000 (min. 5kW for full rebate) 245.
- Battery Storage: $500 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) → up to $5,000 (min. 5kWh capacity) 25.
Example: A 7kW solar + 10kWh battery system = $7,000 + $5,000 = $12,000 total potential rebates (capped at 50% of system cost) 25.
Commercial & Multi-Unit Rebates: Up to $50,000
Businesses, farms, and strata properties unlock higher incentives:
- Solar Panels: $1,000/kW → up to $25,000 59.
- Battery Storage: $500/kWh → up to $25,000 59.
- Social Housing/Indigenous Projects: $3,000/kW solar + $1,500/kWh storage → up to $75,000 each 5.
Key Eligibility Rules
- Pre-Approval Mandatory: Systems must receive BC Hydro pre-approval before installation begins 45.
- Grid Connection: Must connect to BC Hydro’s grid via the Self-Generation Program 28.
- Equipment Standards: New, CSA-certified panels/batteries (batteries in living spaces require extra safety certifications) 24.
- Deadlines: Installations completed after June 27, 2024, qualify. Rebate applications due within 18 months of installation 45.
Combine BC Hydro rebates with federal programs:
- Canada Greener Homes Loan: $40,000 interest-free loan (covers 100% of installation costs) .
- Clean Technology Tax Credit: 30% refundable tax credit for businesses .
Real BC Example:
Victoria homeowner’s $30,000 system:
- $0 upfront via federal loan
- $8,200 BC Hydro rebate (7kW solar + 6kWh battery)
- 7% PST exemption on equipment → $2,100 saved”
Critical Compliance Notes
- No Retroactive Approvals: Work started before BC Hydro pre-approval forfeits all rebates 45.
- Battery Requirements: Must pair with solar; portable systems excluded 25.
- Rebate Caps: Combined incentives cannot exceed 50% of total project cost 29.
How to Apply
- Pre-Approval: Submit design specs to BC Hydro via the Self-Generation portal 48.
- Installation: Use BC Hydro-certified contractors (e.g., listed in CanREA directory) 2.
- Claim Rebate: Submit post-install documents (invoices, CSA certificates) within 18 months 45.
Why Act Now?
- Limited Funding: BC Hydro’s budget allocation is first-come, first-served 8.
- Grid Resilience: Battery-backed solar ensures power during outages (e.g., atmospheric rivers, wildfires) 25.
- Long-Term Value: Systems increase property value by 3-5% and slash energy bills by 40-90% 29.
Four steps of solar permitting applications and approval
