The Canada Greener Homes Loan was the largest federal solar financing program in Canadian history.
It closed to new applications on October 1, 2025. The Greener Homes Grant ($5,000 per home) wound down a year earlier. As of 2026, the federal residential solar incentive landscape is meaningfully thinner than it was. Provincial and municipal programs still drive most of the rebate value for Canadian homeowners, and the value varies almost ten-fold from province to province.
At Firefly Solar, we have helped more than 8,200 Canadian homeowners across seven provinces navigate the rebate landscape over the past ten years. We hold memberships with CANREA Terawatt, Solar Alberta, Solar Nova Scotia, Efficiency Nova Scotia, and BCSEA Tier 3, which means we work with each province's program administrators directly.
This guide walks you through every active solar rebate and incentive in Canada in 2026: federal program status, provincial programs province-by-province, municipal rebates (especially in Alberta), how net metering complements rebates, what financing options bridge the gap when rebates aren't enough, and how to actually combine programs to maximize your stack.
Key Takeaways
- The Canada Greener Homes Loan is closed to new applications. Existing borrowers continue under their original 0% interest, up-to-$40,000 terms.
- Provincial rebate value varies by almost 10 times across Canada. British Columbia and Prince Edward Island are the strongest active provincial programs.
- Five Alberta municipalities run their own solar rebates on top of CEIP financing. Banff is the strongest at $750 per kW.
- Net metering is technically a billing arrangement, not a rebate, but it operates in every Canadian province with a major utility.
- Always verify current rebate amounts at the Firefly Solar Incentives Tracker before factoring them into your payback math. Programs change throughout the year.
How do solar rebates work in Canada?
Solar rebates in Canada operate at three layers: federal, provincial, and municipal. Each layer has its own eligibility rules, application process, and timing. Most homeowners can stack programs across layers, although stacking rules vary by program.
The three layers: federal, provincial, municipal
Federal programs apply nationwide and are administered by Natural Resources Canada or the Canada Revenue Agency. They have historically been the largest single source of rebate or financing value (the Greener Homes Loan offered up to $40,000 interest-free), but the federal landscape thinned significantly in 2024 and 2025.
Provincial programs are administered by each province's energy efficiency agency or utility. Examples include BC Hydro's solar program, Efficiency Nova Scotia's SolarHomes program (residential closed in 2025), and Prince Edward Island's Solar Electric Rebate Program. Provincial programs vary enormously in value.
Municipal programs are administered by individual cities or towns. They are most common in Alberta (Banff, Medicine Hat, Canmore, Wetaskiwin, Edmonton each run their own programs), and rare elsewhere in Canada.
How rebates differ from tax credits and financing programs
The word "rebate" gets used loosely. There are actually four distinct mechanisms that can offset your solar cost:
- Cash rebate. A direct payment, typically post-installation, based on system size or cost. Example: PEI's Solar Electric Rebate Program ($0.50 per watt up to $5,000).
- Tax credit. Reduces your income tax owing. Example: the federal Clean Technology Investment Tax Credit (commercial only).
- Interest-free or low-interest financing. Doesn't reduce sticker cost but reduces total cost of ownership. Examples: the Canada Greener Homes Loan (closed) and Alberta's CEIP.
- Net metering. Ongoing bill credit for surplus production exported to the grid. Reduces your operating cost over the life of the system, not your installed cost.
Each works differently in your payback math, and they can usually be combined.
Why net metering is technically a billing arrangement, not a rebate
Net metering shows up in most "rebate" lists and gets treated like a rebate by most homeowners, but the mechanism is different. It doesn't reduce what you pay for your system. It compensates you for surplus electricity your system exports to the grid by crediting your monthly bill. Over a 25-year system life, those credits add up to a meaningful share of total system value, but they show up as bill reductions rather than installed-cost reductions.
For the full mechanics of how net metering works in Canada's largest residential solar market, read our Alberta net metering guide.
What federal solar programs exist in Canada in 2026?
The federal residential solar landscape has thinned. Here is the current state of each program:
Canada Greener Homes Loan (closed)
The Canada Greener Homes Loan was the largest federal solar program in Canadian history: up to $40,000 interest-free, repayable over 10 years, available to homeowners across the country for energy efficiency retrofits including solar.
Status in 2026: Closed to new applications since October 1, 2025. Existing borrowers continue under their original terms. New solar installations cannot enroll.
Canada Greener Homes Grant (closed)
The Greener Homes Grant offered $5,000 per home for energy efficiency retrofits, with up to $5,000 of that available for solar installations.
Status in 2026: Closed since 2024. The program was wound down before the loan program closure.
Federal Clean Technology Investment Tax Credit (CT-ITC)
The CT-ITC is a refundable tax credit for businesses investing in eligible clean technology, including commercial solar. Rate: up to 30 percent of capital cost.
Status in 2026: Active for commercial and industrial installations. Does not apply to residential homeowners.
Federal Greener Homes Loan portal
If you have an active Greener Homes Loan, the portal at Natural Resources Canada's program page is where you manage your loan. The portal is not accepting new applications.
What provincial solar rebates and programs are available?
Provincial programs vary widely in 2026. Some provinces (BC, PEI) have meaningful active rebates. Others (Ontario, Quebec) rely primarily on net metering. The Atlantic provinces have shifted significantly over the past two years.
British Columbia
BC Hydro Solar Rebate Program. BC Hydro and Fortis offer rebate value for grid-tied residential solar installations. Battery storage rebates are available separately. Verify current amounts at /resources/incentives before relying on a specific dollar figure.
Eligibility: Must be a BC Hydro or Fortis customer. System must meet program technical requirements. Firefly Solar serves the British Columbia market, with EGBC-stamped engineering on every BC install.
Net metering: Available through BC Hydro and Fortis. Annual settlement, retail-rate credit basis.
Alberta
No province-wide rebate. Alberta's incentive landscape is built on the Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP) financing layer plus municipal rebates in participating cities, plus the Micro-Generation Regulation that enables net metering. Alberta is Firefly Solar's home market: we serve every major Alberta city.
We cover Alberta in detail in our Alberta rebate guide, Alberta net metering guide, and the Alberta solar guide .
Saskatchewan
SaskPower Net Metering Program. Available for residential systems up to 100 kW. Annual settlement, retail-rate credit basis. Firefly Solar serves Saskatchewan with the same engineering standards we apply across Western Canada.
No major provincial rebate in 2026. Some smaller municipal programs exist; check /resources/incentives for current local options.
Manitoba
Manitoba Hydro Net Metering. Available for residential systems up to 200 kW. Annual settlement, retail-rate credit basis.
No major provincial solar rebate in 2026. Manitoba's relatively low electricity rates extend payback periods compared to higher-rate provinces.
Ontario
Net metering through your local distribution company (LDC). Available for systems up to 500 kW. Settlement and credit rules vary slightly by LDC. Firefly Solar serves Ontario markets including Toronto, Ottawa, London, and Windsor.
No major active provincial solar rebate in 2026. Ontario's earlier microFIT program (which paid above-market rates for solar exports) closed years ago. Some municipal programs exist in specific cities.
Quebec
Hydro-Quebec Net Metering. Available for residential systems up to 50 kW. The lowest residential electricity rates in Canada (roughly 7 to 9 cents per kWh) mean Quebec solar payback is the longest in the country, typically 12 to 20 years for an average home.
No major Quebec-specific solar rebate in 2026.
New Brunswick
Total Home Energy Savings Program through NB Power. Offers rebate value for energy efficiency retrofits including solar. Verify current amounts at /resources/incentives. Firefly Solar serves New Brunswick markets across Fredericton, Moncton, and Saint John.
Net metering through NB Power. Available for residential systems up to 100 kW.
Nova Scotia
SolarHomes Program (Efficiency Nova Scotia). Previously offered $0.60 per watt up to $15,000 for residential solar.
Critical update: The residential stream of SolarHomes closed in April 2025. The non-profit and Indigenous community streams remain active. If a quote you receive in 2026 references "SolarHomes residential rebate," verify the current program status before relying on the number.
Net metering through Nova Scotia Power. Available for residential systems up to 1 MW. Firefly Solar serves Nova Scotia including the Halifax market.
Prince Edward Island
Solar Electric Rebate Program through efficiencyPEI. Offers $0.50 per watt up to $5,000 for residential solar installations. One of the most accessible active provincial rebates in Canada in 2026.
Net metering through Maritime Electric. Available for residential systems up to 100 kW.
Newfoundland and Labrador
No major residential solar program active in 2026.
Net metering through Newfoundland Power.
| Province | Headline 2026 program | Approx. value | Net metering |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | BC Hydro / Fortis | Verify at tracker | Yes (annual, retail rate) |
| Alberta | CEIP financing + municipal | $0–$15,000+ stack | Yes (annual, varies by retailer) |
| Saskatchewan | Net metering only | N/A | Yes (annual, retail rate) |
| Manitoba | Net metering only | N/A | Yes (annual, retail rate) |
| Ontario | Net metering only | N/A | Yes (varies by LDC) |
| Quebec | Net metering only | N/A | Yes (annual, retail rate) |
| New Brunswick | Total Home Energy Savings | Verify at tracker | Yes (annual, retail rate) |
| Nova Scotia | SolarHomes (residential CLOSED Apr 2025) | $0 residential | Yes (annual, retail rate) |
| Prince Edward Island | Solar Electric Rebate | $0.50/W up to $5,000 | Yes (annual, retail rate) |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | None active | $0 | Yes |
What municipal solar rebates exist?
Municipal solar rebates are most common in Alberta. A small number of municipalities elsewhere in Canada also run programs.
Alberta cities
Town of Banff Solar Incentive Program. $450 per kW residential, capped at $9,000. Strongest single municipal solar rebate in Alberta. Minimum 2 kW system.
City of Medicine Hat Solar Electric Incentive. $200 per kW, capped at $1,000 residential. Medicine Hat is municipally owned, which is why this program exists.
Town of Canmore residential rebate. Up to $1,250 flat residential rebate.
City of Wetaskiwin Solar Grant Program. $5,000 grants for residential solar.
City of Edmonton Change Homes for Climate Program. $0.50 per watt up to $4,000. Multi-unit residential only. Single-family homeowners are not eligible. This is the most common rebate eligibility confusion we see in Edmonton consultations.
CEIP (Clean Energy Improvement Program). Not a rebate but a financing program. CEIP provides 0% post-installation financing attached to your property tax bill, available across participating Alberta municipalities. Read our Alberta rebate guide for full mechanics.
Other Canadian municipal programs
A handful of cities outside Alberta run their own solar programs from time to time. The list shifts. Search by city at /resources/incentives to see what's currently active in your area.
How does net metering work across Canada?
Net metering is the billing arrangement that credits your account for surplus solar electricity exported to the grid. It is available in every Canadian province with a major regulated utility, but the rules vary on three axes: system size cap, settlement period, and credit basis.
| Province | System size cap | Settlement | Credit basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | 5 MW (micro-gen) | Annual | Retailer rate |
| British Columbia | 100 kW | Annual | Retail rate |
| Saskatchewan | 100 kW | Annual | Retail rate |
| Manitoba | 200 kW | Annual | Retail rate |
| Ontario | 500 kW | Annual | LDC rate |
| Quebec | 50 kW | Annual | Retail rate |
| New Brunswick | 100 kW | Annual | Retail rate |
| Nova Scotia | 1 MW | Annual | Retail rate |
| Prince Edward Island | 100 kW | Annual | Retail rate |
The most important variable is the credit basis. Some provinces credit you at the full retail rate (you "save" the same amount you would have paid). Others credit at a lower wholesale or generation-only rate. Read your utility's net metering tariff carefully before sizing your system.
For a deep walkthrough of how net metering works in Canada's largest solar market, see our Alberta net metering guide.
Can I combine multiple solar incentive programs?
Yes, in most cases. Stacking is one of the structural reasons Alberta has the fastest residential solar payback in Canada: a Banff homeowner can stack CEIP financing, the municipal $450 per kW rebate, and net metering credits for a total stack value that no other province can match.
Stacking rules by province
Alberta: CEIP + municipal rebate + net metering = standard stack. Most homeowners use all three.
British Columbia: BC Hydro program + net metering = standard stack. Some homeowners can layer separate battery storage incentives.
Prince Edward Island: Solar Electric Rebate Program + net metering = standard stack.
Most other provinces: Net metering plus whatever provincial program is active. Stacking is rarely complicated outside Alberta because the provincial layer is thinner.
Common combinations that work
- Alberta Banff homeowner: Town of Banff $450/kW rebate + CEIP financing + net metering credits
- Alberta Medicine Hat homeowner: City of Medicine Hat $200/kW rebate + CEIP + net metering
- BC Lower Mainland homeowner: BC Hydro program + battery storage rebate + net metering
- PEI homeowner: Solar Electric Rebate Program + net metering
Common conflicts to avoid
- Some installer-offered promotions explicitly cannot be combined with provincial rebates. Read the fine print.
- Some programs require pre-installation application; others are post-installation. Mixing the timing wrong can disqualify you.
What financing options bridge the gap when rebates aren't enough?
The closure of the Canada Greener Homes Loan in October 2025 left a meaningful financing gap for Canadian homeowners. Several options can fill it. For broader context on solar economics across the country, see our Solar in Canada pillar, and for choosing the right installer, our installer evaluation guide.
0% financing through your installer
Several Canadian solar installers, including Firefly Solar, offer 0% financing programs as part of their standard service. These programs typically run 5 to 10 years on residential installations, with monthly payments designed to be roughly equivalent to your pre-solar electricity bill. Pair financing with the right solar panel and battery storage configuration for your home.
CEIP (Clean Energy Improvement Program), Alberta only
CEIP provides low interest post-installation financing in participating Alberta municipalities, repaid through your property tax bill over up to 25 years. The financing transfers with the property if you sell, which is structurally different from a personal loan.
Full mechanics in our Alberta rebate guide.
Conventional bank loan
Standard home equity loans and personal loans can finance a solar installation. Rates and terms vary by lender and credit profile. Generally less attractive than a 0% installer-offered program or CEIP, but available everywhere.
How do I find the rebate I qualify for?
The fastest path is the Firefly Solar Incentives Tracker. Filter by your province, city, and sector (residential, commercial, agricultural, builder, Indigenous), and you'll see every active program that applies to you, with current dollar amounts and last-verified dates.
If you'd rather get a personalized walkthrough, request a free assessment. We'll review your roof, your consumption, and the rebate stack available in your specific city, and give you a fully transparent proposal with the math worked out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to find out what rebates apply to your home?
The rebate landscape changes throughout the year, and what applies to your home depends on your specific province, city, sector, and consumption pattern. The fastest way to find out exactly what's available to you is the live Firefly Solar Incentives Tracker, filtered by your location.
If you'd rather get a personalized walkthrough with the math worked out for your specific roof and consumption, request a free assessment. We'll review your situation and give you a fully transparent proposal showing your installed cost, the rebate stack available in your city, your annual production estimate, and your projected payback period.