Solar incentives in British Columbia
Federal tax credits, British Columbia rebates, utility programs, and BC Hydro net metering net metering - everything that lowers your solar payback.
Incentives & rebates
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BC Hydro Net Metering / Self-Generation Service
BC Hydro's legacy net metering rate (Rate Schedule 1289) closes to new customers on July 1, 2026. New applicants and any homeowner taking the BC Hydro solar rebate are moved to the Self-Generation Service rate (Rate Schedule 2289), which pays a fixed 10 cents per kWh for exported energy, settled each billing cycle rather than annually. Existing net-metering customers without rebates stay on Schedule 1289 for 10 years from their start date and then transition automatically.
BC Hydro Solar & Battery Rebate
BC Hydro offers up to $5,000 for residential solar ($1,000 per kW of installed generator capacity, capped at 50% of total installed cost). Battery storage paired with solar earns up to $1,500 ($500 per kWh, 5 kWh minimum, 50% cost cap), rising to up to $5,000 when paired with Peak Saver enrollment. As of June 1, 2026 the work must be done by a Home Performance Contractor Network member. Taking this rebate places you on the new Self-Generation Service rate.
Federal Programs (Greener Homes Loan & Affordability Program)
The Canada Greener Homes Loan (interest-free up to $40,000) stopped accepting new applications on October 2, 2025 - only previously approved loans are still being funded. Its replacement, the Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program (CGHAP), launched in September 2025 and delivers no-cost retrofits through provincial partners for low- to median-income households; solar PV is federally eligible but each province sets its own technology list. Canada still has no federal investment tax credit equivalent to the U.S. ITC for residential solar.
PST Exemption on Solar Equipment
British Columbia has at times exempted qualifying solar/renewable energy equipment from provincial sales tax (PST). Exemption scope and eligibility change with provincial budgets - confirm the current PST treatment of your equipment at time of purchase.
Net metering: BC Hydro net metering
BC Hydro offers net metering: exported solar is credited against the bill at the applicable rate, with an annual true-up. Net excess generation remaining at year-end is paid out at a set per-kWh price rather than the retail rate, so systems are typically sized to the home's annual load.
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