Solar + battery installation in Ontario
Battery-coupled solar is the package that closes most often in Ontario. Federal Clean Tech ITC (30%) on storage stacks with provincial net metering. Free quote, ~2 minutes.
Get my free solar + battery quote- 7.5 kW
- Average system size
- $2.90/W
- Average cost (CAD)
- 11 yrs
- Average payback
- 124+
- Local installers
Why solar in Ontario
Ontario is Canada's largest residential solar market by population, with decent southern-Ontario sun-hours and time-of-use electricity pricing that rewards self-consumption. Unlike the United States, Canada has no federal investment tax credit for residential solar; instead homeowners rely on net metering plus any federal or provincial programs available at the time of purchase. Ontario offers net metering through local distribution utilities, crediting exported solar against future bills at the retail rate (kWh-for-kWh) with credits carried forward for up to 12 months. Battery storage is increasingly popular for shifting solar into expensive on-peak hours and providing outage backup. Because there is no upfront federal tax credit, paybacks are longer than in comparable U.S. states - a typical 7.5 kW Ontario system generally pays for itself in roughly 10-13 years, after which it produces low-cost power for the rest of its 20+ year life.
Incentives & rebates
Last verified:
Ontario Net Metering
Ontario homeowners can net meter through their local distribution company: exported solar is credited kWh-for-kWh against future electricity bills at the retail rate, with unused credits carried forward for up to 12 months and no cash payout for net annual excess. As of May 1, 2026, the Ontario Energy Board raised the simplified micro-embedded generation threshold from 10 kW to 12 kW, making more residential systems eligible for the streamlined connection process.
Home Renovation Savings Program (HRSP) - Solar & Battery
Ontario's flagship residential energy program (launched January 2025, expanded for the 2026-27 program year running April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027) provides combined rebates of up to $10,000 for solar PV paired with battery storage. Note: homeowners taking the HRSP solar incentive are generally directed to a load-displacement configuration rather than full net metering - confirm the current rules with your installer before applying.
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 - funding is fully committed and only previously approved loans are 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.
Local Utility & Municipal Programs
Some Ontario municipalities and local utilities periodically offer financing (e.g. local improvement charge / on-bill financing) or efficiency programs that can apply to solar. Availability is local and changes frequently - confirm what is currently offered in your service area.
Net metering: Net metering at retail rate
Ontario offers net metering through local distribution utilities: exported solar is credited kWh-for-kWh at the retail electricity rate against future bills, with credits carried forward up to 12 months and no cash payment for annual net excess. Time-of-use pricing makes self-consumption and storage more valuable.
Related Ontario resources
Start your Ontario quote
Tell us where your home is and we will match you with a vetted local installer.
How payback works in Ontario
- System cost
- $21,750
- Estimated net cost
- $21,750
- Estimated payback
- ~13.4 years
- 25-year net savings
- ~$18,750
These figures are illustrative; your actual quote reflects your roof, sun exposure, and local utility rates.
Cities we serve in Ontario
69cities with vetted local solar + battery installers.
- Toronto
- Ottawa
- Mississauga
- Brampton
- Hamilton
- London
- Markham
- Vaughan
- Richmond Hill
- Oakville
- Newmarket
- Milton
- Kitchener
- Windsor
- Pickering
- Whitby
- Ajax
- Oshawa
- Barrie
- Guelph
- Cambridge
- Waterloo
- St. Catharines
- Kingston
- Niagara Falls
- Orillia
- Huntsville
- Peterborough
- Sudbury
- Thunder Bay
- Burlington
- Brantford
- Chatham-Kent
- Sarnia
- Sault Ste. Marie
- Kawartha Lakes
- Caledon
- Aurora
- Halton Hills
- Belleville
- North Bay
- Welland
- Whitchurch-Stouffville
- Cornwall
- Woodstock
- Innisfil
- Quinte West
- Timmins
- New Tecumseth
- Bradford West Gwillimbury
- Stratford
- Orangeville
- Wasaga Beach
- Centre Wellington
- Leamington
- Prince Edward County
- Collingwood
- Brockville
- Owen Sound
- Cobourg
- Tillsonburg
- Midland
- Port Hope
- Bracebridge
- Petawawa
- Kenora
- Pembroke
- Saugeen Shores
- Carleton Place
Frequently asked questions
How much do solar panels cost in Ontario?
Ontario solar averages roughly CA$2.90 per watt installed, so a typical 7.5 kW system costs about CA$20,000-CA$24,000 before any programs. Unlike the U.S., Canada has no federal solar tax credit, so most of the value comes from long-term net-metering bill savings.
Does Ontario have net metering?
Yes. Ontario homeowners can net meter through their local distribution utility: exported solar is credited kWh-for-kWh at the retail rate against future bills, with credits carried forward for up to 12 months and no cash payout for net annual excess.
Are there solar rebates in Ontario?
Canada has no equivalent of the U.S. federal solar tax credit. Federal and provincial home-energy programs (and low-interest loan offerings) come and go, so verify which federal and Ontario programs are currently active before you buy rather than assuming a specific rebate.
Is solar worth it in Ontario?
For many homes, yes - but paybacks are longer than in the U.S. because there is no upfront federal tax credit. A typical system pays for itself in roughly 10-13 years through net-metering savings, then generates low-cost power for its remaining 20+ year life.