Solar panel and battery storage rebates for remote microgrid communities
Save up to $150,000 on eligible solar panels and battery storage
As of July 23, 2024, BC Hydro customers living in remote communities whose electricity is supplied by a BC Hydro microgrid, which is not connected to BC Hydro’s integrated system can apply for rebates on solar panels and battery storage systems. Save 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.
Investing in solar panels, batteries, or both will help reduce electricity costs over time. By participating in our self-generation program, you'll also have greater control over your energy use and a reliable backup power source for your home, business or community building.
If you’re a BC Hydro customer in in our integrated area (grid connected) see our residential offer, our business offer, or our offer for Indigenous communities.
Solar panel rebates
Strengthen your self-sufficiency and maintain energy independence by generating your own electricity with solar panels. As a renewable resource, solar panels are a reliable and sustainable solution for energy generation.
| PRODUCT | REBATE AVAILABLE |
|---|---|
| Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels | Up to $75,000
|
Battery storage rebates
Increase the resiliency of your home or business with the added reliability of storing excess renewable energy. Battery storage can power essential services overnight, during cloudy days, and in the case of an outage.
| PRODUCT | REBATE AVAILABLE |
|---|---|
Battery energy storage systems Minimum storage size: 5 kilowatt-hours (kWh). |
Up to $75,000
|
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 application (previously called net metering) 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 battery 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.
Important note for customers in remote microgrids:
- BC Hydro’s remote microgrids use a variety of generation resources to support their electricity load, such as diesel, existing or proposed independent power producer (IPP) renewable generation, and intermittent energy via self-generation.
- BC Hydro is committed to providing safe, reliable and affordable electricity to all our customers. To ensure the reliability and stability of service in the remote microgrids, BC Hydro limits integration of intermittent renewable energy (solar, wind) due to the smaller size of these grids compared to the integrated system.
- In remote microgrids, BC Hydro limits the aggregate self-generation in the community to 15% of the average community load (measured in kilowatts, or kW). Staying within this limit ensures BC Hydro can provide reliable service for all customers within the remote microgrids.
- BC Hydro will complete a thorough technical review and evaluation for each application for self-generation from remote microgrid customers on a case-by-case basis until the limit for a particular microgrid is reached.
- We strongly recommend waiting to purchase generating equipment until after the self-generation program application is reviewed and accepted.
Review additional eligibility criteria for your property, installation and products below.
You're an individual who owns a home or business, or are a representative of an Indigenous governing body applying for your homes, businesses or community buildings.
- The property must be grid-connected.
- The building(s) must have a BC Hydro residential or business account.
- The property must be in zone II or IB.
Self-generation program applications in remote microgrids will be accepted on a first come first served basis until the limit is reached. Each application will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
- 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, and must be reviewed and approved by BC Hydro (see important note for customers in remote micro-grids above).
- Installations and connections must be completed on or 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’re 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 application that was submitted before May 1, 2024 for systems installed on or after 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.
- 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].
How to apply
1. Review our guides to solar panels, battery storage systems for residential customers, and the process for connecting your system to our electrical grid through the self-generation program.
2. Find a qualified contractor who will need to prepare a proposed plan and quote with specifications for your solar and/or battery storage system.
3. Submit a self-generation application for your proposed system. We'll review the proposed system and let you know if any changes or additional requirements are needed to ensure your project is compliant with system limitations in your area.
We strongly recommend waiting to purchase generating equipment until after the self-generation program application is reviewed and accepted.
4. Once your self-generation application is accepted, install your solar and/or battery storage system to the approved specifications.
5. Let us know once the system is installed, inspected and ready for BC Hydro’s final review and approval for interconnection
Each application will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
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.
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