What Solar Incentives Are Available in Canada?

The federal Canada Greener Homes Grant ($5,000) and interest-free loan ($40,000) are both closed as of late 2024/2025. The replacement – the Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program (CGHAP) – offers no-cost retrofits for low-to-median income households, but solar panel inclusion varies by province. For most Canadian homeowners in 2026, provincial programs are the primary source of solar funding, with rebates ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 depending on where you live.

Federal Programs: What’s Open, What’s Closed

Canada Greener Homes Grant – CLOSED. The original $5,000 grant closed to new applications in March 2024 after funding over 500,000 homes.

Canada Greener Homes Loan – CLOSED. The $40,000 interest-free loan stopped accepting applications in October 2025. Existing approved applications are still being processed.

Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program (CGHAP) – ROLLING OUT. CGHAP is the $800 million federal replacement, announced in Budget 2024 and launched in September 2025. Key differences:

• Targets low-to-median income households (not all homeowners)
• Uses a direct-install model – qualifying households pay nothing out of pocket
• Delivered through provincial partners, not the federal government directly
• Solar panels listed as eligible federally, but each province decides which retrofits to include
• For the first time, tenants can access retrofits through their landlords

Manitoba was the first province to sign (September 2025, $29.8 million). However, Manitoba’s implementation explicitly excluded solar panels – covering only insulation, air sealing, and heat pumps. As of March 2026, additional provincial agreements are expected but most have not yet been announced.

Provincial Solar Incentives (2026)

With federal grants closed, provincial programs are the primary pathway:

Ontario’s key caveat: The Home Renovation Savings Program offers up to $10,000 combined, but systems receiving this rebate cannot participate in net metering. The rebate is for load displacement only – electricity must be consumed on-site. Many Ontario homeowners are better off skipping the rebate and using net metering instead, depending on consumption patterns.

Net Metering: The Invisible Incentive

Net metering isn’t a rebate, but it’s often the single largest financial benefit of going solar. Most provinces offer some form, allowing you to send excess solar to the grid for bill credits. The value varies:

• Ontario: 1:1 credit at current rate (generous)
• BC: New self-generation rate of 10¢/kWh for exports (April 2026)
• Alberta: Varies by retailer; some 1:1, others wholesale
• Saskatchewan: 1:1 credits, annual settlement
• Quebec: Credits at retail rate, but low rates reduce impact

See our full net metering guide →

How to Maximize Your Incentive Stack

• Check your province first. Provincial programs are the primary funding source.
• Check municipal programs. Edmonton, Toronto, Guelph, and Banff offer additional incentives.
• Watch for CGHAP announcements. Low-to-median income households may access no-cost solar if their province includes it.
• Compare HRS rebate vs. net metering (Ontario). The $10,000 rebate is attractive, but net metering may deliver better long-term returns.
• Get multiple quotes. Installers should handle incentive paperwork – verify before signing.

Related Questions

How much do solar panels cost? $2.50–$3.80 per watt installed nationally. An 8 kW system costs $20,000–$30,400 before incentives. Full cost breakdown

What is net metering? It lets you send excess solar to the grid for bill credits – and varies significantly by province. Net metering FAQ

Do I need a battery? Not necessarily. Net metering often makes batteries optional for grid-tied homes. Battery FAQ