BC Hydro offers residential rebates for grid-connected solar photovoltaic systems to qualifying BC Hydro and New Westminster Electric Utility (NWEU) customers. This guide covers 2026 rebate amounts, who qualifies, and how to apply without missing common disqualifiers.
2026 BC solar rebate amounts
Solar rebates are calculated at $1,000 per kW of installed capacity, up to a maximum of $5,000, capped at 50% of eligible product and installation costs.
| Rebate type | Maximum amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Solar panels | $5,000 | $1,000/kW installed, capped at 50% of eligible costs |
| Battery + solar | $1,500 | Paired with solar, not enrolled in Peak Saver |
| Battery + Peak Saver | $5,000 | Enroll within 14 days of in-service date |
| Combined maximum | $10,000 | Solar + Peak Saver battery on same project |
Battery rebates follow separate rules as of April 1, 2026. See our battery rebate guide and stacking guide for combined project caps.
Who qualifies for the BC Hydro solar rebate?
- BC Hydro or NWEU account holder who owns the eligible property
- Residential property types listed in BC Hydro program terms (detached homes, duplexes, townhomes, and other eligible dwellings)
- Grid-connected system approved through BC Hydro self-generation pre-approval
- Eligible new solar equipment purchased in Canada
- Installation completed after June 27, 2024 (BC Hydro) or December 4, 2025 (NWEU)
Residential solar and battery rebates also apply to New Westminster Electric Utility (NWEU) customers, who apply through the City of New Westminster. Rebate amounts mirror the BC Hydro program, but NWEU customers cannot enroll in Peak Saver (no $5,000 battery tier), are served under Net Metering Rate 500 rather than RS 2289, and are capped at 50 kW. City of New Westminster program · BC Hydro terms [PDF].
Does not qualify: Individually metered suites within multi-unit buildings — including strata condominiums — are not eligible for residential per-unit rebates. Multi-family buildings on a single meter or common area account may qualify under the multi-family program.
FortisBC and other municipal utilities are not eligible for BC Hydro rebates. See FortisBC vs BC Hydro →
HPCN installer requirement
For installations completed on or after June 1, 2026, BC Hydro requires the work to be performed by a Home Performance Contractor Network (HPCN) member. BC Hydro recommends comparing quotes from at least three HPCN-certified installers.
Pre-approval before you buy equipment
Submit a self-generation application through MyHydro and receive technical pre-approval before purchasing equipment.
Purchasing solar panels before receiving technical pre-approval is one of the most common reasons homeowners lose rebate eligibility. Apply through BC Hydro self-generation first.
Eligible solar products
- Eligible products must be new — not previously installed at another property.
- Products must be purchased in Canada (manufactured outside Canada is permitted).
- All Tesla battery models (including Powerwall) are excluded from BC Hydro rebates, effective March 12, 2025. Tesla solar panels are not named in the exclusion; confirm current equipment eligibility in the BC Hydro product FAQ.
- Combined system nameplate capacity must not exceed 100 kW for residential programs
BC Hydro product FAQ · Full terms and conditions [PDF]
Net metering and RS 2289
Effective July 1, 2026, new solar customers move from Rate Schedule 1289 to Rate Schedule 2289. Accepting a BC Hydro solar rebate confirms acceptance of RS 2289. Model your payback with the new 10 cents/kWh export rate — not legacy net metering assumptions.
July 1 net metering explainer →
How to apply — step by step
- Confirm you are a BC Hydro or NWEU customer and own the property.
- Submit self-generation application via MyHydro and wait for pre-approval.
- Get quotes from HPCN-certified installers (three or more recommended).
- Install after approval using eligible equipment.
- Receive rebate — typically up to 60 days after your project passes BC Hydro inspection review (longer if selected for site verification).