Ontario
Solar panels in Ontario
Ontario homeowners save around $2,200/year with solar, helped by Time-of-Use rates that reach 20.3¢/kWh on-peak — exactly when panels produce most. Net metering credits at the full retail rate and carry forward up to 12 months, with payback typically in 8–12 years.
The Home Renovation Savings Program (HRSP) offers up to $12,000 combined for solar and battery, and on-peak generation earns credits at the highest tier. Both federal programs are closed, so the provincial HRSP plus Time-of-Use arbitrage are where the strongest returns come from.
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Cities we serve in Ontario
264 installs across the province — pick your city for local production, rates and real install proof.
Ottawa — 14.2 kW rooftop
South-facing asphalt shingle · completed January 2024 · 11 progress photos on file
"With nearly all my household energy now coming from the sun, my monthly bills have plummeted — and it's not just about the savings, it's the positive environmental impact."
— Real Ottawa homeowner ★★★★★Recent installs across Ontario
View all installs →Real completed systems, photographed on site.
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What 264 Ontario installs tell us
Aggregated from completed Xolar systems across Ontario — first-hand data, not industry averages.
Ontario's Time-of-Use structure is a quiet advantage: midday solar offsets the most expensive on-peak power. With true 1:1 net metering and 12-month credit carry, systems sized to annual usage capture the full value.
Ontario energy & net metering
Consistent across every Various (Hydro One, Toronto Hydro, etc.) service area.
How your system works behind the meter
Most of a Ontario system's value comes from power used behind the meter — electricity your panels make and your home uses on the spot, offsetting energy you'd otherwise buy at 9.8¢/kWh. Only the surplus flows past the meter to Various (Hydro One, Toronto Hydro, etc.) for 1:1 net-metering credit.
Rebates & incentives in Ontario
Local, provincial, federal and Xolar in-house — covering all available programs for Ontario homeowners.
264 installs across Ontario · 534 nationwide
Completed Xolar installations — each dot represents a city where we've installed solar.
What Ontario homeowners say
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"We are happy with our roof top solar panels from Xolar. Lauren was a great help as our project manager. Vivek and John also helped us with our many questions. The project was finished on time. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Xolar."
"Had a very complex installation, quite large with lots of features, with the solar array powering two homes. Took a while to complete and there were a few technical glitches along the way but they were taken care of. Quality of product and Technicians was excellent. It would be 5 stars if there was better communications. Several times I had to repeat emails trying to get answers."
"I had my solar system installed by Xolar and I’m extremely satisfied with both the hardware and the overall setup. The system delivers immediate savings on my Hydro bill and is performing better than I expected, even under winter conditions. The hardware layout is clean, thoughtfully designed, and integrates seamlessly with my existing electrical system.The project timeline was solid: I placed my order in August, the installation took place over the winter, and everything was fully completed by April, including all permits and approvals from the city. The only hiccup in the entire process was a hardware shortage during the ordering phase, which required me to follow up a few times. That delay was frustrating, but ultimately handled well.A special mention goes to Lauren, who has been a great point of contact from start to finish. She is responsive, clear in her communication, and consistently advocated on my behalf to resolve issues and push past any delays. Having someone like Lauren to talk to made a big difference and kept my confidence in the project high.Overall, I would definitely recommend Xolar to anyone considering a solar installation. Once the hardware arrived, everything moved smoothly, the system was set up correctly the first time, and the performance and savings so far have exceeded my expectations."
"Loved the information that was shared during the process. Xolar was better right from the start. They provided more information about the entire process then the other two businesses that I received quotes from. Installation was quicker than expected there was a couple small issues but they were looked after quickly. Solar has now been running for 4 months and starting to see reduced energy bills. Very impressed!"
"Our solar panels were installed and are working great. Lots of great communication from Xolar throughout the process to ease our worries."
"We were, overall, delighted with the solar panel solution from Xolar. The process, from first consultation, to operation and receiving the Greener Homes Loan took almost exactly 6 months, which we were very happy with given we started to process in December.We were quite concerned about the look of the panels as our South facing roof faces the street and we live in a neighbourhood with a lot of nice homes. But we were really delighted with how they look - they just blend in nicely with the roof and many of friends have said they hardly noticed them. They also present a modern appearance.As you can see, the panels are only over the garage but that is estimated to be sufficient to cover around 90% of our hydro use, and we use only electricity, with geothermal heating and cooling, and have an electric car. So far, the hydro generation matches the estimates provided by Xolar.The initial presentation of the solution, by Chris Isidori, was very thorough, and he was available to answer all of my questions. The Xolar website is also excellent and there are many customer solutions listed there to read about, and speak to their experience. The installation team were a joy to work with - they arrived on time, were extremely pleasant, completed the entire install in less than 2 days, and cleaned up very well at the end.Overall, the solution exceeded our expectations and we are very much enjoying making a contribution to the energy grid while saving money in the long term. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Xolar if you are considering installing a solar array on your home."
Ontario solar questions
Is solar worth it in Ontario?
Yes.
Ontario homeowners save an average of $2,200/year with solar.
With Time-of-Use rates up to 20.3¢/kWh on-peak, solar generates credits at the highest tier.
The HRSP program provides up to $10,000 in rebates (solar + battery).
Payback is typically 8-12 years, followed by 15+ years of near-free electricity.
Solar also adds $15,000-$25,000 to home value.
How much does solar cost in Ontario?
A typical 10 kW solar system in Ontario costs $27,997 before incentives.
After the HRSP rebate ($5,000 solar + up to $5,000 battery at $300/kWh), the net cost drops significantly.
Costs range from $17,497 (5 kW) to $41,994+ (15 kW).
The payback period is 8-12 years depending on your TOU rate plan and consumption patterns.
What is the best solar company in Ontario?
Look for a company with Tesla Powerwall certification, a strong track record of installations, and transparent pricing.
Xolar is one of the highest-rated solar installers in Ontario with a 4.6-star Google rating from 780+ Google reviews, and full HRSP rebate assistance.
We serve 35 cities across Ontario and handle all permits, utility connections, and rebate applications.
How much can I save with solar in Ontario?
Most Ontario homeowners save $2,200/year on average with solar panels.
Actual savings depend on your energy usage, system size, and local electricity rates.
With Time-of-Use rates up to 20.3¢/kWh on-peak, solar generates credits at the highest rate tier.
The Ontario Electricity Rebate provides an additional 23.5% discount.
What rebates and incentives are available in Ontario?
Ontario residents can access the HRSP program ($5K solar + battery rebate at $300/kWh up to $5,000, max $12K total) and net metering.
Some municipalities offer additional incentives.
We help you navigate all available programs and maximize your savings.
Do solar panels work well in Ontario's climate?
Yes!
Ontario has the 5th highest potential to produce solar energy out of Canadian provinces.
Solar installations in Ontario are highly efficient, overperforming to an average of 1,166 kWh of electricity per year for every 1 kW installed.
Solar panels actually work more efficiently in cold temperatures.
While winter has shorter days, modern panels still generate significant power year-round in Ontario.
What is the payback period in Ontario?
The typical payback period in Ontario is 8-12 years.
This accounts for provincial incentives and energy savings.
After payback, you enjoy 15+ years of free electricity with minimal maintenance costs.
With Time-of-Use billing, On-Peak hours coincide with peak solar generation times, earning you credits at higher On-Peak rates.
How long does installation take in Ontario?
Most residential installations in Ontario take 1-3 months from contract to activation.
This includes design, permits, equipment procurement, and installation.
We handle all Ontario-specific permits and regulations, including connections to utilities like Hydro One and Toronto Hydro.
Why Solar Panels Make Sense in Ontario
Ontario solar panels deliver strong returns thanks to a combination of high electricity rates, excellent sun exposure, and provincial incentives. Southern Ontario receives approximately 1,166 kWh per kW installed annually, ranking 5th among Canadian provinces for solar energy production.
Ontario’s Time-of-Use billing works in your favour: solar panels generate most electricity during daytime on-peak hours (20.3¢/kWh), earning you credits at the highest rate tier. Off-peak rates drop to 9.8¢/kWh, meaning the gap between what you’d pay and what you generate is substantial. The Ontario Electricity Rebate adds a 23.5% discount on your bill.
Grid reliability is another factor. Ontario experienced major ice storm outages in 2022 and 2023. Pairing solar panels with battery storage keeps your home powered during outages while saving money every day.
Ontario Solar Incentives & Net Metering (2026)
Ontario’s Home Renovation Savings Program (HRSP) is the primary solar incentive: $1,000/kW up to $5,000 for solar panels, plus battery storage at $300/kWh up to $5,000. The maximum total program cap is $12,000 across all eligible upgrades. Important: solar installed under HRSP must be sized for load displacement only. Net metering is NOT permitted under HRSP. Customers must choose between the HRSP rebate or net metering.
Ontario’s net metering program credits excess solar energy at the full retail electricity rate. With Time-of-Use billing, on-peak credits are earned at 20.3¢/kWh. Credits carry forward for 12 months, making net metering especially valuable for homeowners who don’t take the HRSP solar rebate. As of May 1, 2026, the net metering system size threshold was raised to 12 kW for residential customers.
Municipal programs like Toronto HELP (property-tax financing up to $125,000) and Ottawa Better Homes add further savings. The federal Greener Homes Grant and Loan are both closed.
Xolar's Ontario Service Areas
Xolar installs solar panels across 35 Ontario cities. Here are some of the communities we serve:
- Solar panels Toronto – Ontario’s largest city, served by Toronto Hydro
- Solar installation Ottawa – Capital region with Hydro Ottawa rates
- Solar panels Hamilton – Alectra Utilities, strong TOU savings
- Solar installation Mississauga – GTA’s fastest-growing solar market
- Solar panels Brampton – High electricity usage, excellent payback
- Solar panels London – London Hydro, 1,100+ kWh/kW annually
- Solar installation Kitchener – Enova Power territory
- Solar panels Barrie – Growing demand in Simcoe County
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Solar system packages
All include install, permits & 25-yr warrantyMost popular choice for average Canadian homes