Solar panel and battery storage rebates for multi-family buildings
Save up to $50,000 on eligible solar panels and battery storage
We're making solar panels and battery storage more affordable for property managers, strata councils, and building owners. As of July 23, 2024, you can offset upfront cost with rebates of up to $25,000 on eligible grid-connected solar panels and up to an additional $25,000 for battery storage systems for qualifying multi-family buildings while funding lasts.
You can install solar panels or a battery, or both to maximize the value of your project and your rebate. Additionally, solar is the easiest way to participate in our self-generation program, which can lower the cost of your electricity bills while increasing your property value.
Solar panel rebates
Future-proof for your building's electrification needs – to help power devices like electric vehicle (EV) chargers and heat pumps – by installing solar panels on your property. Installation is made easy with the help of a qualified contractor.
| PRODUCT | REBATE AVAILABLE |
|---|---|
| Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels | Up to $25,000
|
Battery storage rebates
Battery storage increases the value of your solar panel system and the resiliency of your building by storing excess renewable energy. Your building will have a reliable backup power source to power your property 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 $25,000
|
How to apply
- Review our guides to solar panels, battery storage systems, and the process for connecting your system to our electrical grid through the self-generation program. You can also review BC Housing's guide for installing solar photovoltaic systems for more information.
- Before you purchase or install your system, review the eligibility criteria and terms and conditions below to make sure you qualify.
- Find a qualified contractor who's experienced with multi-family buildings to design and install your solar and/or battery storage system.
- Work with your contractor to follow the steps to apply for the self-generation program and the rebates.
Log in to start your application.
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.
- Multi-family buildings, including stacked townhomes, low-rise and high-rise apartment buildings.
- You must be the building owner, strata council member or property manager of your multi-family building.
- The property must be a grid-connected, multi-family building.
- You must have a BC Hydro common area account.
- Non-profit and social housing are not eligible for this offer. See our solar and battery offer for social housing.
- Solar generation must connect to our distribution system through the self-generation program.
- Systems must have a combined aggregate nameplate capacity of no more than 100 kW.
- Installations and connections must be completed after June 27, 2024.
- 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 are 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 projects installed prior to 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. Lithium-ion batteries must be certified to CUL 1642. See terms and conditions [PDF, 108 KB] for details.
For complete eligibility and program details, see our solar and battery rebate terms and conditions [PDF, 108 KB].
Finding a contractor
You can find a qualified contractor through the Canadian Renewable Energy Association member directory or the BC Sustainable Energy Directory.
Qualified 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
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