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Solar panel and battery storage rebates for social housing

A solar panel array on the roof of a building with the sky in the background

Save up to $150,000 on eligible solar panels and battery storage

As of July 23, 2024, eligible social housing providers can apply for rebates of up to $75,000 on grid-connected solar panels and up to an additional $75,000 for battery storage systems. This offer is available for qualifying projects while funding lasts. 

Improve your building's resilience and energy independence by investing in solar panels, batteries, or both to maximize the value of your project. By participating in our self-generation program, you'll reduce electricity costs over time and be able to refocus your budget on other building improvements. 

Solar panel rebates

By generating your own electricity with solar panels, you'll reduce your reliance on the grid and see savings over time with lower electricity bills. 

 

PRODUCT REBATE AVAILABLE 
Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels

  Up to $75,000 

  • $3,000 per kilowatt (kW) of installed generator capacity.  
  • Rebate amount capped at 75% of total installed product cost (including labour and materials). 
  • Maximum rebate $75,000.  


Battery storage rebates

Take greater control over your energy use and benefit from a reliable backup power source for your tenants. Increase the comfort and safety of your tenants by providing self-generated, renewable power for essential services in the case of a power outage, and benefit from energy you've generated to power your building on cloudy days and overnight. 

 

PRODUCT REBATE AVAILABLE 

Battery energy storage systems 

Minimum storage size: 5 kilowatt-hours (kWh). 

Up to $75,000

  • $1,500 per kWh of installed storage capacity.  
  • Rebate amount capped at 75% of total installed product cost (including labour and materials). 
  • Maximum rebate $75,000. 

 


How to apply

  1. 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. 
  2. Before you purchase or install your system, review the eligibility criteria and terms and conditions below to make sure you qualify. 
  3. Find a qualified contractor to design and install your solar and/or battery storage system. 
  4. Work with your contractor to follow the steps to apply for the self-generation program and the rebates.

Self-generation (previously net metering) customers who applied between May 1, 2024, and July 22, 2024 contact solarrebates@bchydro.com for a link to the rebate application form.

Log in to start your application.

Apply now

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.

Eligible customers and properties

  • You must be a registered charity that assists low-income persons, or a housing provider that is a:
    • Local government,
    • Housing society registered under the Societies Act,
    • Housing co-op registered under the Cooperative Association Act, or
    • Governing body of an Indigenous band provided the housing is primarily for low-income households.
  • You must be a commercial customer of BC Hydro.
  • The property must be grid-connected.
  • You must have a BC Hydro business account.

 

Eligible installations

  • 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.

Eligible solar panels

  • 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.

Eligible battery storage systems

  • Must be new, not previously installed in another home or property.
  • Must be purchased in Canada; products can be manufactured outside of Canada.  
  • Must use a renewable resource as defined by the Clean Energy Act (includes solar, wind, and hydroelectricity).
  • 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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