Solar Power Rebates and Incentives
Maximize Your Investment for Residential and Commercial Installations
Investing in solar energy is not only a smart choice for reducing your carbon footprint, but it can also lead to significant financial savings. Residents and businesses in British Columbia, including the Okanagan and Kootenays, can take advantage of a variety of government rebates, incentives, and grants that make transitioning to solar power more affordable.
From federal programs to regional incentives, there are numerous ways to reduce the upfront costs of solar panel installations. Explore the available rebates below and start saving today.
Save up to $10,000 on eligible solar panels and battery storage
As of July 23, 2024, BC Hydro is offering rebates up to $5,000 on eligible grid-connected solar panels and up to an additional $5,000 for battery storage systems to qualifying residential customers. You can install solar panels or a battery, or both to maximize the value of your project and your rebate.
Canada Greener Homes Loan
The Canada Greener Homes Loan offers interest-free financing to help Canadians make their homes more energy efficient and comfortable.
Get an interest-free, unsecured personal loan ranging from $5,000 to $40,000, with a 10-year repayment term, available on approved credit.
Commercial
Save up to $50,000 on eligible solar panels and battery storage
Meet your business’ energy needs with rebates of up to $25,000 on grid-connected solar panels and up to an additional $25,000 for battery storage systems, available for qualifying projects while funding lasts. With the help from expert contractors, you can install solar panels, batteries, or both to maximize the value of your project and your rebate.
As of July 23, 2024, you can take advantage of these rebates and participate in our self-generation program. Self-generation gives you greater control over your energy use and helps to reduce your energy bills to refocus your budget on your business.
Free energy saving kit
If you live in an income-qualified household, you can get a free energy saving kit to help you save energy and make your home more comfortable all year.
Each kit includes simple, energy-saving products that you can install yourself. With this kit, you can seal up the drafts around your home, save on lighting costs, and reduce your home’s water use too.
Free energy saving kit
Join the thousands of income-qualified British Columbians saving energy and money with a free Energy Saving Kit. From faucet aerators and weather stripping to LED bulbs, the kit helps customers save on heating, hot water and lighting at home. Find out if you qualify.
Free energy saving kit
Pacific Northern Gas Ltd. (PNG) and BC Hydro are working together to provide free Energy Saving Kits for income-qualified households. Our free kit contains easy to install energy saving products that may help you make your home more comfortable and may save you money on your heating and electricity bills.
PST exemption
The PST exemption for solar power systems in BC applies to both residential and business purchases. It automatically applies when solar panels and related equipment (e.g., wiring, controllers, and inverters) are bought together as part of a complete system for generating electricity or heat. No application is needed, but the exemption doesn’t cover individual components purchased separately.
Commercial
Clean Technology Investment Tax Credit of up to 30% of the capital cost of specified clean technology property.
Businesses can take advantage of important tax incentives under the Income Tax Act, that encourage investments in clean energy generation and energy conservation projects.
Eligible expenses can also be fully deducted or carried forward under Canadian Renewable and Conservation Expenses (CRCE). Some technologies may qualify for a refundable Clean Technology Investment Tax Credit of up to 30%.
Distributed Generation (Net Metering)
Application intake was paused on July 2, 2024, for review of the program. The Distributed Generation Program allows Summerland electrical utility residential customers to “net‑meter.” Residential customers who participate in the program are able to completely offset their own electricity needs each calendar year, after which the District of Summerland will purchase any excess energy that is put back onto the grid at the wholesale rate. Learn more about this program here.
Canada Greener Homes Grant
The Canada Greener Homes Grant is no longer accepting new applicants. Homeowners who are already participating are encouraged to proceed in a timely manner with their retrofits and will continue to be eligible for funding and support through the Canada Greener Homes portal.
*Last updated: 18 Sept 2024