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It’s no secret that transitioning to solar energy and other forms of renewable energy can present a hefty up-front investment. It’s also no surprise that homeowners and business owners struggle to justify such an expensive investment without any real push to make the change.
With a focus on a greener future, Canadian officials have begun offering more federal solar incentives for residents to afford and enjoy the use of clean and renewable energy.
There have been many exciting changes in Canada in recent years to encourage the adoption of cleaner energy sources. If you’re a resident or are interested in learning more about how federal laws in Canada are paving the way for a more emergency-efficient future, you’ve come to the right place.
Canada-wide Solar Power Incentives
Canadian residents are uniquely positioned to take advantage of numerous tax breaks or price reductions when investing in solar-powered energy sources for their homes or businesses. Benefiting from these incentives isn’t hard, as long as you take the proper steps to adhere to the requirements and apply for the necessary grants.
Before you can fully take advantage of these solar power incentives, here’s a breakdown of the available grants for you to better understand what you may qualify for.
The Canada Greener Homes Grant
For homeowners and business owners interested in installing solar panels on their property, the Canada Greener Homes Grant may be the incentive program for you. This grant offers up to $5,000 for fitting your home with approved solar panels and other similar devices intended to reduce the overall energy consumption of a single home.
This large sum of money can greatly help residents justify the expensive upfront costs of switching to solar and has helped to put Canada ahead in the race to a cleaner future.
The Canada Greener Homes Grant may also help with the expense of evaluations and inspections associated with the installation of solar panels, so be sure to call your local official to fully understand what this program entails. The EcoFlow Mountable Solar Panels and EcoFlow DELTA Series Solar Generators are two upgrades that will allow you to take advantage of this helpful incentive while also enjoying the rewards of switching to solar.
The Climate Action Incentive Fund
While switching to solar energy sources may be the more popular upgrade, there are other updates that can help buildings run more efficiently and eco-friendly. The Climate Action Incentive Fund casts a wider net and is geared toward encouraging business owners to embrace the adoption and use of climate-friendly power options.
Investing in clean technology is no easy fit, especially for smaller businesses throughout Canada. The Climate Action Incentive Funds were gathered from the federal carbon pricing system to refocus the funds on projects that would reduce overall energy consumption and costs for business owners throughout the region.
There are various ways funds from this incentive program have been used, but the vast majority go to updating appliances with more energy-efficient options and modernizing the equipment used in these businesses with greener, more sustainable options. Installing solar panels like the EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Solar Generator (PV400W) is also often covered by these federal funds and can greatly lower your energy costs over time.
Overview of Solar Incentives Across Canada
| Alberta | Farm Energy Agri-Processing Program (FEAP) Municipal Initiatives for Residential and Commercial Solar Upgrades |
| British Columbia | CleanBC |
| Manitoba | Efficiency Manitoba |
| New Brunswick | Total Home Energy Savings Program |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | TakeCharge |
| Nova Scotia | SolarHomes |
| Ontario | Net Metering Programs |
| Prince Edward Island | Solar Electric Rebate |
| Quebec | Energy Transition Quebec |
| Saskatchewan | SaskPower Net Metering Program |
Alberta Incentives
Farm Energy Agri-Processing Program (FEAP)
Focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and overall energy costs, the Farm Energy Agri-Processing program was designed to help transform the agricultural process throughout Canada. Increasing sustainability and focusing on renewable energy sources are the ultimate goals of this program, and FEAP has helped fund the switch for many farms.
Municipal Initiatives for Residential and Commercial Solar Upgrades
Homeowners and business owners alike can benefit from these initiatives offered in Alberta. There are many that fall within this category, but the primary options are the PACE program (Property Assessed Clean Energy) and the Solar Rebates program. Switching to solar can be costly, but these programs help reduce the investment for those interested in using clean energy.
British Columbia Incentives
CleanBC
This program’s overall goal is to reduce the carbon emissions set out in British Columbia. To help influence this change, CleanBC has improved energy efficiency in many buildings, both commercial and residential, by supporting the use of renewable energy sources and green appliances.
Manitoba Incentives
Efficiency Manitoba
This program helps the region in many ways. With numerous incentive programs to take advantage of, residents can upgrade their homes and businesses to run more efficiently without having to bear the upfront costs themselves.
New Brunswick Incentives
Total Home Energy Savings Program
To help homeowners better understand their overall energy consumption, this program offers a full audit of energy use to see where changes need to be made. From there, program officials will help to guide the purchasing power of residents to make informed decisions that will help to save energy.
If homeowners choose to implement the recommended updates, they will be offered rebates or other financial incentives for energy-related purchases.
Newfoundland and Labrador Incentives
TakeCharge
This incentive program is typically used in residential areas and can even be offered to those who make the switch to electric vehicles. Numerous electric vehicle rebates are offered through this program, designed to help offset the costs of purchasing the vehicle and installing the necessary charging cables at your site of residence.
This program also offers incentives to upgrade appliances throughout your home to ensure it’s running as efficiently as possible.
Nova Scotia Incentives
SolarHomes
The SolarHomes program was created to help homeowners justify the costs associated with installing solar panels in their homes. The rebate offered to homeowners will vary depending on various factors, but these rebates typically help to offset the majority of the costs, making the switch much more affordable.
To participate in this program, you’ll need to have a contractor inspect the property before and after the solar panels are installed.
Ontario Incentives
Net Metering Programs
Homes and businesses that are already running on efficient energy sources are able to take part in net-metering programs. This incentive was designed for energy-efficient establishments to send back any surplus of unused power to the grid. Depending on the amount of excess power that is returned, homeowners and business owners may be offered credits or rebates for their electricity bills.
Prince Edward Island Incentives
Solar Electric Rebate
This program will offer a rebate or discount for the installation costs of solar panels in residential, commercial, and even some industrial areas. The cost incentives will vary based on the size of the installation and will be calculated as either a fixed dollar amount based on energy use or as a percentage of the total installation costs.
Quebec Incentives
Energy Transition Quebec
The main focus of this program is to replace current energy sources with greener, more efficient options in the business sector. To do this, Energy Transition Quebec offers financial incentives for those willing to make the switch to renewable power sources such as solar energy, hydroelectricity, and even wind power.
Saskatchewan Incentives
SaskPower Net Metering Program
This credit program incentivizes residents to upgrade their homes to run more efficiently. Any excess energy returned to the grid can be credited back to homeowners in the form of a reduced energy bill, which helps save on monthly costs in the long run.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are many federal incentive programs throughout Canada that encourage the adoption of solar panels for both business owners and homeowners. Some of the more popular programs are the Canada Greener Homes Grant and the Total Home Energy Savings Program.
This is a tax credit that is offered to business owners in Canada who are interested in making the switch to solar or other clean energy sources on their property. This incentive is designed to help lower the overall costs associated with switching to clean energy sources and gives business owners the chance to do so at a lower investment point.
This loan program is offered strictly to homeowners looking to make the switch to a more energy-efficient home. The loan is interest-free and must be used for the installation and addition of greener energy sources in the home. It can include the installation of solar panels as well as the upgrade to more energy-efficient appliances.
This grant was developed to help homeowners reduce the energy consumption in their homes by making the switch to more eco-friendly power options. The grant is offered as an investment to assist homeowners by reducing the costs of installations and elevations that are required when making the switch to solar.
Final Thoughts
Switching to greener energy sources can be an uphill battle with all of the costs and hurdles you may have to jump through. These federal incentive programs are a great way to justify the struggle and are designed to help residents and business owners be a part of the solution for a cleaner, more energy-efficient future.
If you’re ready to switch to solar, EcoFlow’s DELTA 3 Series Solar Generator (PV160W) offers fast charging options ideal for homeowners and small businesses.