A Solar-Powered Future: What Lies Ahead
The conversation around using solar power as a renewable energy source is not a new topic. In fact, it's only grown to become something that more and more businesses and home owners are considering, especially as concerns around overloading the electrical grid come into play.
As such, BC Hydro is making it easier for British Columbians to consider generating their own energy.
While solar power has been around for a long time, many of us are only just becoming familiar with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
With regards to Solar, Solar Battery Storage specifically consists of a device that is connected to solar panels, which reserves energy for consumption at a later time. The stored electricity is typically consumed after sundown, during energy demand peaks, or during a power outage.
What Rebates Are Available?
On July 23, 2024, BC Hydro launched new solar and battery storage rebate offers for customers.
The offers vary depending on the customer type, but as of right now there are rebates available for:
- Business Customers
- Multi-Family Buildings
- Residential Single-Family Homes
- Social Housing
- Indigenous Communities
- Microgrid Communities
Rebates for Business Customers
Eligibility: You're a business account holder paying Small General Service, Medium General Service rates, or Large General Service rates. Your business is either owned for leased by you.
Solar photovoltaic (PV) Panels Rebates:
- Up to $25,000 (maximum amount available)
- $1,000 per kilowatt (kW) of installed generator capacity.
- Rebate amount capped at 50% of total installed product cost (including labour and materials).
Battery Storage Systems (Minimum storage size: 5 kilowatt-hours (kWh).
- Up to $25,000 (maximum amount available)
- $500 per kWh of installed storage capacity.
- Rebate amount capped at 50% of total installed product cost (including labour and materials).
Rebates for Multi-Family Buildings
Eligibility: You must be a building owner, strata council member, or property manager of your multi-family building. Eligible buildings include: multi-family buildings, stacked townhomes, low-rise, and high-rise apartment buildings.
Solar photovoltaic (PV) Panels Rebates:
- Up to $25,000 (maximum amount available)
- $1,000 per kilowatt (kW) of installed generator capacity.
- Rebate amount capped at 50% of total installed product cost (including labour and materials).
Battery Storage Systems (Minimum storage size: 5 kilowatt-hours (kWh).
- Up to $25,000 (maximum amount available)
- $500 per kWh of installed storage capacity.
- Rebate amount capped at 50% of total installed product cost (including labour and materials).
Rebates for Residential Single-Family Homes
Eligibility: you must be a BC Hydro customers, own or lease your home and the property must be a grid-connected residential home.
Solar photovoltaic (PV) Panels Rebates:
- Up to $5,000 (maximum amount available)
- $1,000 per kilowatt (kW) of installed generator capacity.
- Rebate amount capped at 50% of total installed product cost (including labour and materials).
Battery Storage Systems (Minimum storage size: 5 kilowatt-hours (kWh).
- Up to $5,000 (maximum amount available)
- $500 per kWh of installed storage capacity.
- Rebate amount capped at 50% of total installed product cost (including labour and materials).
Rebates for Social Housing
Eligibility:
Solar photovoltaic (PV) Panels Rebates:
- Up to $75,000 (maximum amount available)
- $3,000 per kilowatt (kW) of installed generator capacity.
- Rebate amount capped at 75% of total installed product cost (including labour and materials).
Battery Storage Systems (Minimum storage size: 5 kilowatt-hours (kWh).
- Up to $75,000 (maximum amount available)
- $1,500 per kWh of installed storage capacity
- Rebate amount capped at 75% of total installed product cost (including labour and materials).
Rebates for Indigenous Communities & Microgrid Communities
There are rebates also available for Indigenous communities and microgrid communities, with up to $75,000 available for Solar PV panels and an additional $75,000 available for Battery Energy Storage Systems. For more information on eligibility, follow the links below:
Moving Forward
These new rebates offered by BC Hydro are an exciting step towards helping Canadians create a more sustainable future. While solar technology is not new, there is still some hesitation around adopting it, especially as common myths still persist (which we've debunked here).
It's completely normal to have reservations about adopting this technology, and so our team is here to support you and answer any questions.
