Solar Incentives Across Canada: What Homeowners Need to Know (2025 Edition)

Introduction

Solar energy is gaining momentum in Canada as homeowners look for ways to cut electricity bills and reduce emissions. Many are also taking advantage of solar incentives offered in Canada to make the switch more affordable.

While installation costs can still be high, a wide range of federal, provincial, and utility-level incentives make solar systems more affordable than ever.

In this 2025 guide, we’ll break down the solar rebates, tax programs, and net metering policies that can help you save thousands on your solar investment—no matter where you live in Canada.

Federal Solar Incentives

While the Canada Greener Homes Grant has ended, these national programs remain in place:

Canada Greener Homes Loan

• Up to $40,000 interest-free, repayable over 10 years
• Must be paired with an EnerGuide home energy assessment
• Solar PV systems are eligible when bundled with other energy upgrades (e.g., insulation, heat pumps)

Accelerated Capital Cost Allowance (ACCA) (for businesses and farms)

• Allows commercial solar investments to be written off faster through tax deductions

Provincial Solar Incentives

British Columbia

• CleanBC Better Homes Program (2025):
  • While general solar rebates are limited, some solar pilot projects continue in select areas
• Net Metering:
  • BC Hydro and FortisBC offer full retail rate credits for solar electricity sent back to the grid
  • Credits roll over indefinitely

Ontario

• Net Metering Program:
  • Systems up to 50 kW eligible for retail-rate crediting
  • Monthly excess rolls forward to future bills
• Local Solar Adjustment (LSA):
  • Select utilities provide bonus compensation based on grid value of exported solar

Quebec

• Hydro-Québec Net Metering:
  • Eligible systems (≤50 kW) earn credits at the retail rate
  • Annual reconciliation for unused credits
• Rénoclimat & LogisVert:
  • While primarily focused on heat pumps and insulation, these programs offer bonus rebates when solar is bundled with envelope upgrades

Alberta

• Municipal Solar Rebates:
  • Cities like Edmonton offer $0.40–$0.60/W rebates (up to $4,000)
• Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP):
  • Solar systems financed through property taxes

Yukon

• Good Energy Program:
  • Rebates of $800 per kW (up to $5,000/year)
  • Off-grid & solar-ready incentives for remote homes

Nunavut

• Renewable Energy Homeowner Grant:
  • Covers 50% of solar installation costs, up to $30,000
  • Includes assessment and net metering eligibility

Utility and Municipal Solar Programs

Across Canada, local utilities and municipalities offer custom solar benefits, including:

• Nova Scotia:
  • Municipal solar grants and loans, often paired with Efficiency NS programming
• PEI:
  • Point-of-sale rebates for solar-ready heat pump systems
• Toronto & Ottawa:
  • Support community solar pilots and building electrification initiatives
• Arctic Energy Alliance (NWT):
  • Solar rebates and system design support for off-grid northern communities

Tips for Maximizing Solar Incentives

Start with an EnerGuide evaluation

• Required for the federal loan and some provincial incentives

Bundle solar with other upgrades

• Insulation, heat pumps, and air sealing can increase eligibility and maximize rebate totals

Right-size your system

• Oversized systems may not be fully credited under net metering policies

Use a certified installer

• Ensures compliance with both program rules and safety standards

Use tools like Solenery’s postal code lookup

• Get a custom list of available solar programs in your area—instantly

Conclusion

With a growing mix of loans, rebates, and net metering, Canadian homeowners have more ways than ever to make solar affordable.

By taking advantage of stacking opportunities and timing your application correctly, you can maximize your return on investment and contribute to Canada’s clean energy future.