Reduce Your system Cost with Provincial & Federal Programs

Ontario Solar Rebates and Incentives

Ontario homeowners may qualify for a range of provincial and federal rebates and incentive programs that can significantly reduce the upfront cost of installing solar and battery systems.

Ontario solar map

Performance

How Solar Panels

Perform in Ontario’s Climate

Solar panels perform reliably in Ontario despite seasonal weather variations. Modern photovoltaic systems are designed to generate electricity efficiently in both sunny and cold conditions, with cooler temperatures often improving panel efficiency. Ontario receives sufficient annual sunlight to make solar a strong long-term investment, allowing homeowners to offset a significant portion of their electricity usage through net metering. With proper system sizing, orientation, and high-quality equipment, solar installations across Ontario can deliver consistent energy production and long-term savings year after year.

Ontario has the fifth-highest potential to produce solar energy in all of Canada, receiving more solar irradiation than most other provinces.

According to data from Natural Resources Canada, the average solar system in Ontario can produce 1166 kWh of electricity per kW of solar panels per year.Here is how much an average solar system can produce each month, as well as the solar irradiance potential map for Ontario:

Ontario solar irradiance

Ontario Solar

Rebates & Incentives

  • UP TO $5,000

    Home Renovation Savings Program (HRSP) – Solar

Homeowners installing behind-the-meter solar systems may qualify for a provincial rebate of up to $5,000for solar panels. The incentive is calculated at $1,000 per kilowatt (kW), covering up to 50% of the total project cost.

Homes that receive incentives through the Home Renovation Savings (HRS) Program for solar PV are not eligible to enter into a net-metering agreement with their local distribution company (LDC). These incentives apply strictly to load-displacement systems, meaning all electricity produced by the solar PV system must be used directly within the home to offset on-site energy consumption, with no export to the grid.

  • UP TO $5,000

    Home Renovation Savings Program (HRSP) – Battery Storage

Homeowners installing behind-the-meter Battery Storage may qualify for a provincial rebate of up to $5,000. The incentive is calculated at $300 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), covering up to 50% of the total project cost.

Homes that receive incentives through the Home Renovation Savings (HRS) Program are not eligible to enter into a net-metering agreement with their local distribution company (LDC). These incentives apply strictly to load-displacement systems, meaning all electricity stored in the storage system must be used directly within the home to offset on-site energy consumption, with no export to the grid.

  • UP TO $125,000

    The Home Energy Loan Program (HELP)

The Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) supports Toronto homeowners in making their homes more energy-efficient—one of the most impactful ways to cut emissions and fight climate change. Through this program, eligible homeowners can borrow up to $125,000 with repayment terms of up to 20 years, at fixed interest rates starting from 3.08% and up to 4.67%, to finance a wide range of energy-saving upgrades..

  • UP TO $125,000

    Ottawa Better Homes Loan

The City of Ottawa offers a municipal financing program designed to help homeowners fund energy-efficient home upgrades through low-interest loans with a 20-year term. Homeowners can borrow up to $125,000, or 10% of the home’s current tax-assessed value (whichever is lower), to cover the cost of eligible improvements.

The Better Homes Ottawa – Loan Program attaches the loan to the property rather than the homeowner, making repayment more flexible and spreading costs over time in an affordable way. This program is available to eligible Ottawa homeowners and is designed to make long-term energy and housing improvements more accessible and financially manageable.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Explore answers to common questions about solar installation, financing, and related topics.

Are there rebates in Ontario for solar panels?

Yes. Ontario programs may offer rebates for residential solar PV. Rebate amounts and eligibility can change, and may depend on system size, total project cost, and program rules at the time you apply.

Are home battery storage systems eligible for rebates in Ontario?

Yes. Some Ontario programs include incentives for behind-the-meter battery storage. Eligibility and maximum rebate values vary by program and may change over time.

What does “behind-the-meter” mean for solar and batteries?

Behind-the-meter means the solar and/or battery system is designed to serve your home’s on-site electricity needs, reducing what you buy from the grid rather than exporting electricity back to the utility.

What is “load displacement”?

Load displacement means the electricity produced by solar (and stored in a battery) is used to power your home’s loads first, helping you consume less grid power instead of sending excess energy to the grid.

Can I get a rebate and also use net metering?

Not always. Some incentive programs require the system to be designed for load displacement only, which can make you ineligible for a net-metering agreement with your local utility. You typically must choose one path.

If I choose net metering, can I still install a battery?

Yes. You can install a battery with a net-metered solar system, but incentive eligibility may differ. Program requirements may restrict rebates if the system is configured to export energy to the grid.

Can I combine solar and battery rebates in one project?

yes. Some programs support solar + battery projects together, as long as the overall system design meets the program’s rules (often including behind-the-meter/load displacement requirements).

Where can I learn the official rules for net metering in Ontario?

Net-metering rules and guidance are provided by the Ontario Energy Board and your local utility, including eligibility requirements and connection processes.

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