Solar panel and battery storage rebates for Indigenous communities

• You're an Indigenous governing body [PDF, 163 KB] who owns a home, business, or community building located on-reserve.
• The property must be grid-connected.
• The building(s) must have a BC Hydro residential or business account.

If you're an Indigenous customer or Indigenous governing body located in one of our non-integrated areas (i.e., remote microgrids), you can find information on the solar panel and battery storage rebates here. 

• Solar generation must connect to our distribution system through the self-generation program.
• Systems must have a combined aggregate nameplate capacity of no more than 100 kW. 
• Installations and connections must be completed on or after June 27, 2024. 
• As of June 2024, a new rate structure for self-generation has been proposed to the B.C. Utilities Commission (BCUC). By applying for and accepting these rebates, you’re accepting this potential future rate.  

If you've already applied for or are participating in self-generation:

• Rebates won't be processed for any self-generation application that was submitted before May 1, 2024 for systems installed on or after June 27, 2024.      
• Additional solar panels and/or a new battery added to an existing system after June 27, 2024 will be considered for rebates as long as they meet the overall system requirements.
• Replacements of system components that increase the size or capacity of your system are eligible for a rebate for the incremental increase of the system's size or capacity. For example, if you're replacing a 5 kW system with an 8 kW system, the 3 kW increase is rebate-eligible. 

• Must be new, not previously installed in another home or property.
• Must be purchased in Canada; products can be manufactured outside of Canada.
• Cannot replace an existing solar photovoltaic system. However, additional solar panels added to an existing system will qualify. 
• Has a Canadian Standards Association certification, has a nameplate rating of no more than 100 kW, and is compliant with CSA C22.2 No. 107.1:16 (R2021), CSA C22.3 No. 9:20 and CSA C22.2 No. 61730. See terms and conditions [PDF, 108 KB] for more details. 

• Must be new, not previously installed in another home or property.
• Must be purchased in Canada; products can be manufactured outside of Canada.
  
• Must use a renewable resource as defined by the Clean Energy Act (includes solar, wind, and hydroelectricity).   
• Cannot replace an existing battery energy storage system. 
• Is compliant with CSA C22.2 No. 107.1:16 (R2021), CSA C22.3 No. 9:20.
• Battery energy storage systems must be certified to CUL 1973 and CUL 9540, and if installed in the habitable or living space of a dwelling must be tested to pass CUL9540A requirements. Lithium-ion batteries must be certified to CUL 1642. See terms and conditions [PDF, 108 KB] for details.
• If you are a business customer interested in a battery system that exceeds 100 kWh see our demand response for business energy storage incentive.