British Columbia
Solar panels in British Columbia
British Columbia pairs a clean grid with roughly 14¢/kWh BC Hydro power and a solid solar resource across the south. Homeowners typically reach payback in 10–14 years, and the BC Hydro Solar Rebate ($1,000/kW up to $5,000) plus the 7% PST exemption meaningfully cut the upfront cost.
Important 2026 change: BC Hydro closed its 1:1 net metering to new customers on July 1, 2026. New systems now fall under Rate Schedule 2289, which pays a fixed 10¢/kWh for exported power rather than full retail credit. That makes sizing to your own consumption — and pairing with a battery — more valuable than ever.
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Cities we serve in British Columbia
8 installs across the province — pick your city for local production, rates and real install proof.
Coquitlam — 14.4 kW rooftop
South-facing asphalt shingle · completed April 2026 · 79 progress photos on file
Recent installs across British Columbia
View all installs →Real completed systems, photographed on site.
What 8 British Columbia installs tell us
Aggregated from completed Xolar systems across British Columbia — first-hand data, not industry averages. Nothing a competitor can copy.
With the shift away from 1:1 net metering, the math in BC now rewards self-consumption. Systems paired with storage and sized to daytime load outperform export-heavy designs under the new 10¢/kWh self-generation rate.
British Columbia energy & net metering
Consistent across every BC Hydro service area.
How your system works behind the meter
Most of a British Columbia 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 14¢/kWh. Only the surplus flows past the meter to BC Hydro for net-billing credit.
Rebates & incentives in British Columbia
Local, provincial, federal and Xolar in-house — covering all available programs for British Columbia homeowners.
Showing all of Canada — 491 installs nationwide
Completed Xolar installations — each dot represents a city where we've installed solar.
What British Columbia homeowners say
"Great professional review and proposal. Too early to comment on anything else"
"Awesome experience with Spencer.Information was clear and easily understood.The personalised quote really gives you everything you need to think about.If my power company changes its policy towards this kind of project I will be on board.This is a real way to offset your power usage.Mike"
"Very patient, attentive and well explained."
"Robin was very helpful in so many ways. Knowledgeable ,friendly ,and and her genuine positivity is contagious. This part of the process was second to none.The estimate was done quickly and truly informative.Thank you Robin!!"
"Their proposal is good with detailed explanation. Good service."
"Very Interesting"
British Columbia solar questions
How much can I save with solar in British Columbia?
Most British Columbia homeowners save $1,800/year on average with solar panels.
Actual savings depend on your energy usage, system size, and local electricity rates.
With BC Hydro’s two-tier rates and ongoing annual increases, solar locks in your energy costs for 25+ years while grid rates continue rising.
What rebates and incentives are available in British Columbia?
BC residents can access the BC Hydro Solar Rebate ($1,000/kW up to $5,000 for solar panels), the PST Tax Exemption (7% savings on solar equipment), and net metering.
The BC Hydro battery rebate changed as of April 1, 2026: batteries paired with solar are eligible for up to $1,500 without Peak Saver enrollment, or up to $5,000 with Peak Saver enrollment.
Battery-only installations are no longer eligible for the rebate.
Note: the federal Canada Greener Homes Grant closed March 2024 and the Greener Homes Loan closed October 2025; neither is available to new applicants.
What is the payback period in British Columbia?
The typical payback period in BC is 10-14 years.
This accounts for provincial rebates (BC Hydro solar rebate up to $5,000), PST exemption, and energy savings.
After payback, you enjoy 15+ years of free electricity with minimal maintenance costs.
How long does installation take in British Columbia?
Most residential installations in BC take 1-3 months from contract to activation.
This includes design, permits, equipment procurement, and installation.
We handle all BC-specific permits and regulations, including BC Hydro net metering connections with zero setup fees.
Is net metering changing in British Columbia?
Yes.
BC Hydro closed its 1:1 net metering program (Rate Schedule 1289) to new customers on July 1, 2026.
Customers connecting after that date are on Rate Schedule 2289, which pays a fixed 10¢/kWh export rate instead of full retail credit, as confirmed by the BC Utilities Commission in March 2026.
Customers already connected under the old program keep 1:1 net metering until 10 years have passed from their initial net metering service start date, then transfer automatically to the new rate.
For new installations we model the 10¢/kWh export rate against self-consumption and storage before you decide.
What happens to the excess solar I export now that BC net metering has closed?
Under BC Hydro’s new self-generation rate (Rate Schedule 2289, effective July 1, 2026), excess electricity you export is compensated at a fixed 10 cents per kilowatt-hour, applied as a dollar credit to your current bill rather than banked as kilowatt-hour credits.
Because that export rate is below what you pay for power, a system sized to match your own daytime use is worth more than one built to send a lot to the grid.
Customers already on the old 1:1 net metering rate are grandfathered for 10 years from their start date.
How much does electricity cost in British Columbia?
BC Hydro uses a two-tier residential rate: 11.87 cents per kilowatt-hour for Step 1 (usage under about 22.2 kWh per day) and 14.08 cents for Step 2 above that, plus a basic charge of about 23 cents per day.
Rates rose a net 3.75 percent on April 1, 2026.
The tiered structure means solar is especially valuable for higher-use homes, since it trims the more expensive Step 2 power first.
Is there a battery storage rebate in British Columbia?
Yes.
BC Hydro offers a residential battery storage rebate of $500 per kilowatt-hour of installed capacity, capped at $1,500 for an individually metered home, or up to $5,000 if you enrol in the Peak Saver program, or 50 percent of the total cost, whichever is less.
This is separate from and stackable with the BC Hydro solar rebate of $1,000 per kilowatt up to $5,000.
Do I need a permit to install solar in British Columbia?
Yes, and Xolar handles it.
A grid-tied system requires an electrical permit and inspection through Technical Safety BC, plus a BC Hydro interconnection (self-generation) application before it can be connected.
We manage the permitting, inspection and BC Hydro application as part of every installation.
Net Metering Has Changed in British Columbia (Effective July 1, 2026)
BC Hydro closed its 1:1 net metering programme (Rate Schedule 1289) to new customers on July 1, 2026. New solar customers now connect under Rate Schedule 2289, which pays a fixed 10 cents per kWh for energy exported to the grid instead of crediting it at the full retail rate. The change was confirmed by the BC Utilities Commission in March 2026.
If you were already connected under the old programme, you keep 1:1 net metering until 10 years have passed from your initial net metering service start date, after which BC Hydro transfers you automatically to Rate Schedule 2289.
For anyone installing now, the practical consequence is that exported energy is worth less than the power you buy. A system sized around your own daytime consumption, paired with storage, is therefore worth more than one built to export heavily. We model both against your actual usage before you commit.
Why Solar Makes Sense in British Columbia
British Columbia produces roughly 1,004 kWh per kW installed annually in the south of the province – below the Prairies, but BC Hydro’s tiered rates and the province’s rebate stack carry the case. Mild coastal temperatures keep panels near rated efficiency, and systems are built to produce for 25 years or more.
BC Hydro bills on two tiers: about 11.87 cents per kWh for Step 1 and 14.08 cents for Step 2 above roughly 22.2 kWh per day, plus a daily basic charge. Rates rose a net 3.75% on April 1, 2026. The tiered structure matters more than the headline rate, because solar trims your most expensive Step 2 power first – which makes it disproportionately valuable to higher-consumption homes.
Since 1:1 net metering closed to new customers in July 2026, exported energy earns a fixed 10 cents per kWh rather than full retail credit. That sits below what you pay, so the economics now favour self-consumption: using your own generation as you produce it, and storing the rest.
BC Solar & Battery Rebates (2026)
BC Hydro Solar Rebate – $1,000 per kW, up to $5,000
A direct rebate against installed residential solar capacity. Note the tradeoff set out above: taking this rebate places you on the 10 cents per kWh export rate.
BC Hydro Battery Rebate – up to $1,500, or $5,000 with Peak Saver
Worth $500 per kWh of installed capacity, capped at $1,500 for an individually metered home, rising to $5,000 with Peak Saver enrolment, or 50% of total cost – whichever is less. Battery-only installations stopped qualifying on April 1, 2026; the battery must be paired with solar. Stackable with the solar rebate.
With export credited below retail, storage is now the higher-value half of a BC system for many homes: shifting midday production into the evening is worth roughly 4 cents per kWh more than exporting it.
PST Exemption – 7%
Solar equipment is exempt from BC’s provincial sales tax, applied at purchase.
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Solar system packages
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