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Rebates for solar panels and battery storage

Exterior of residential house with solar panel system installation on roof

Canada Post service disruption

Due to the Canada Post service disruption, rebates sent by cheque are experiencing delays. If possible, we recommend choosing to receive your rebate by Interac e-Transfer.
 

Save up to $10,000 on eligible solar panels and battery storage

As of July 23, 2024, we're 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.   

Rebates for self-generation are one of the ways we're helping meet the province's growing need for renewable electricity and providing you with more options for managing your energy use.

Watch: Solar, self-generation and the rebate process

Dave and Jaclyn share what you need to know about installing solar panels, battery storage, the rebates available, and enrolling in the self-generation program.

Solar panel rebates 

Harness the power of the sun to generate your own renewable energy. Solar generation is a sustainable choice if you're looking to gain energy independence and lower your electricity bills.

PRODUCT REBATE AVAILABLE 
Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels

  Up to $5,000 

  • $1,000 per kilowatt (kW) of installed generator capacity.  
  • Rebate amount capped at 50% of total installed product cost (including labour and materials). 
  • Maximum rebate $5,000.  


Battery storage rebates 

Battery storage allows you to store your excess renewable energy to power your home on cloudy days, overnight, or in the event of a power outage.  

PRODUCT REBATE AVAILABLE 

Battery energy storage systems 

Minimum storage size: 5 kilowatt-hours (kWh). 

Up to $5,000

  • $500 per kWh of installed storage capacity.  
  • Rebate amount capped at 50% of total installed product cost (including labour and materials). 
  • Maximum rebate $5,000. 

 



How to apply

  1. Before you purchase or install your system, review the rebate eligibility criteria below as well as the requirements to connect your system to our electrical grid through the self-generation program. Our guides to solar panels, battery storage systems are also helpful resources.
  2. Find a licensed contractor to design and install your solar and/or battery storage system.
  3. Before you install, work with your contractor to apply for the self-generation program. If eligible, you’ll apply for the rebate as part of the self-generation application.   
  4. Once your system and self-generation application are pre-approved you may purchase your equipment and have your licensed contractor install the system.
  5. After you have submitted your final inspection documents and have received approval from BC Hydro to interconnect your system, your rebate application will be processed and paid.

If the BC Hydro account for a tenanted property is in the name of the property owner, follow the application steps listed above.

If the BC Hydro account for the property is not in the name of the property owner, you'll need to follow these steps in addition to those above:

  1. With the help of your contractor, create a self-generation application and send it to the BC Hydro account holder for review and approval.  Make sure to sure to use the e-mail address the account holder (tenant) uses to sign into their MyHydro account.  
  2. As the BC Hydro account holder, the tenant must agree to participate in the self-generation program, since their rate will change and they will receive the benefit of the self-generation credits on their bill.  When they review the self-generation application, the tenant will respond “no” to being the registered property owner. They’ll then be asked to agree to the utility account holder consent, which will give the property owner permission to apply for the rebate separately using the tenants account information.
  3. Email solarrebates@bchydro.com to request a Landlord/Developer rebate application form.
  4. Once the self-generation application has been reviewed and accepted by BC Hydro, the property owner can submit the rebate application using the self-generation application number and the tenant's account information.

See our guide [PDF, 68 KB] for more details on the application process and what to expect.

Self-generation (previously net metering) customers who applied between May 1, 2024, and July 22, 2024 contact solarrebates@bchydro.com for a link to the rebate application form.

Log in to start your application.

Apply now

Eligibility 

To be eligible for rebates, your system needs to be reviewed and approved to connect to our grid through the self-generation program. If you submitted a self-generation (net metering) application on or after May 1, 2024, you'll be eligible for solar panel rebates if your equipment is installed after June 27, 2024 – prior installations don't qualify. If you're applying for energy storage rebates without energy generation, you must apply on or after July 23, 2024 to be eligible – prior applications and/or installations don't qualify.

Review additional eligibility criteria for your property, installation and products below.

  • The property must have a BC Hydro residential account
  • You must own the home. Tenanted properties are eligible but the rebate is paid to the registered property owner.  See landlord application process above.
  • Customers of other utilities within B.C., such as FortisBC or the City of New Westminster, are not eligible for these rebates.
  • The property must be a grid-connected residential home.
  • The property must be located in BC Hydro's service territory [PDF, 176 KB] .
  • Eligible property types include:
    • Single-family detached dwellings.
    • Duplex, triplex, row home or townhomes.
    • Mobile homes that are fixed to a permanent foundation that are structurally complete with installed and connected plumbing, heating, electrical, water and sewer services, and with towing apparatus and axle removed.

See similar solar rebate offers for Indigenous communities, including single family homes on reserve land, and for multi-unit residential buildings.

Rebates are per BC Hydro account (not per system or sub-meter).  Properties with multiple accounts, systems or meters may be eligible in the following circumstances.

  1. The property has one BC Hydro account/meter for the building with all sub-metered units connected to it, and the solar or battery storage system is connected to the primary BC Hydro account/meter.

    For example, a single-family home that has been renovated to include four suites within one master BC Hydro account/meter for the whole building/home.

Or

  1. Have multiple separate BC Hydro accounts/meters for a housing complex where each unit is connected to its own solar or battery storage system via the BC Hydro account/meter for that individual unit.
  • Solar generation must connect to our distribution system through the self-generation program.
  • You must receive application pre-approval before purchasing equipment. This is to ensure your project meets eligibility and safety requirements.
  • Systems must have a combined aggregate nameplate capacity of no more than 100 kW. 
  • Installations and connections must be completed after June 27, 2024. 
  • Ground-mounted and detached garage-mounted installations are eligible if they’re fixed to the property and connected to the primary BC Hydro account/meter to serve the main residence. Temporary or mobile installations aren’t eligible.
  • Self-installations aren’t eligible. Must be designed and installed by a licensed contractor with a GST number and a valid B.C. license.
  • 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 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.
  • 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. See terms and conditions [PDF, 108 KB] for details.
  • Commonly used batteries that meet the certification requirements are included on our battery list [PDF, 125 KB].

For details on how to safely install a battery storage system inside or outside of your home please see our guide [PDF, 259 KB].

For complete eligibility and program details, see our solar and battery rebate terms and conditions [PDF, 108 KB].

Resources

Finding a contractor

You can find a licensed contractor through the Canadian Renewable Energy Association member directory or the BC Sustainable Energy Directory.

Licensed contractors will:

  • Design and install your clean or renewable energy system safely
  • Optimize your system size based on your electricity use profile
  • Follow all jurisdictional requirements including securing permits
  • Assist with the application process
  • Provide estimated monthly savings and may be able to assist with calculating the payback of your project

The contractors listed in the directories provided are independent contractors and not affiliated with or employees of BC Hydro. We don't endorse the quality of work provided by these contractors or guarantee any of their services. It's your responsibility to interview and select a contractor that meets your needs, and we recommend that you get multiple quotes. You may select a contractor from these directories, or select your own licensed contractor.
 

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