Solar panels in Ottawa, Ontario
Ottawa: Canada's Strongest Solar Financing Stack
Ottawa homeowners have access to arguably the best combination of solar financing in the country. Between the Better Homes Ottawa Loan ($125,000 property–tax financing), Ontario’s HRSP program ($10,000), and Hydro Ottawa’s 1:1 net metering, going solar in Ottawa can require zero upfront cost. Ottawa produces 1,200 kWh/kW annually with Time–of–Use rates earning maximum credits during on–peak solar hours.
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Real Xolar installs in Ottawa
Completed systems across the Ottawa service area — first-hand specs, not industry averages.
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 ★★★★★What 65 real Ottawa installs tell us
Aggregated from completed Xolar systems in Ottawa — first-hand data, not industry averages. Nothing a competitor can copy.
Ottawa energy & net metering
What Hydro Ottawa charges here, and how surplus solar is credited in Ontario.
Ontario’s Time–of–Use electricity rates range from 9.8¢/kWh (off–peak) to 20.3¢/kWh (on–peak), with mid–peak at 15.7¢/kWh (OEB RPP, Nov 2025–Oct 2026). Solar panels generate most during daytime on–peak hours, earning you credits at the highest rate. The Ontario Electricity Rebate provides a 23.5% discount on your bill.
Hydro Ottawa Time-of-Use rates in Ottawa
What a kilowatt-hour costs at each tier, and the hours each one applies — OEB Regulated Price Plan, Nov 2025 – Oct 2026. Rates are set province-wide by the Ontario Energy Board, so they are the same whichever utility bills you; only delivery charges differ.
Hydro Ottawa peak hours, by season
The tiers hold all year; the hours switch twice a year. Weekends and statutory holidays bill at the off-peak rate all day, in both seasons.
On-peak power costs 2.1× what the same kilowatt-hour costs off-peak. At the Ontario Energy Board's benchmark of 700 kWh a month, that is the difference between $68.60 and $142.10 on the electricity line alone — delivery and regulatory charges are billed separately, and the Ontario Electricity Rebate then takes 23.5% off the total.
This is why solar pays better here than a flat rate would suggest. A rooftop array produces most between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. — precisely the summer on-peak window — so the power it offsets is the most expensive power Ottawa buys.
How your system works behind the meter
Most of a Ottawa 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 Hydro Ottawa for net-metering credit.
Rebates & incentives in Ottawa
Every active local, provincial, federal and Xolar program a Ottawa homeowner can stack.
- Up to $125,000Ottawa Better Homes Loan
- Up to $7,500Home Renovation Savings Program (HRSP) – Heat Pump
- Up to $5,000Home Renovation Savings Program (HRSP) – Solar
- Up to $5,000Home Renovation Savings Program (HRSP) – Battery
- Up to 30% of eligible costsClean Technology Investment Tax Credit (Commercial ITC)
Ottawa: Canada's Strongest Solar Financing Stack
Ottawa homeowners have access to arguably the best combination of solar financing in the country. Between the Better Homes Ottawa Loan, Ontario’s new HRSP program, and Hydro Ottawa’s 1:1 net metering, going solar in Ottawa can require zero upfront cost with grants covering a significant portion of the total.
Hydro Ottawa distributes electricity under Ontario’s Time-of-Use pricing. Solar panels generate most during on-peak hours (20.3¢/kWh), earning you credits at the highest rate tier.
Ottawa-Specific Solar Programs
Better Homes Ottawa Loan
Up to $125,000 for energy improvements, repaid through your property tax at low interest. Covers solar, battery storage, heat pumps, insulation, and windows. Zero upfront cost – the loan transfers with the property if you sell.
Ontario HRSP
Up to $5,000 for solar ($1,000/kW) + battery storage at $300/kWh up to $5,000 (launched January 2025). Solar and battery combine for up to $10,000 in HRSP rebates.
Important: Solar under HRSP must be sized for load displacement only – net metering is NOT permitted. Customers must choose between the HRSP rebate or 1:1 net metering credits.
Enbridge Home Efficiency Rebate Plus (Closed)
The Enbridge HER+ program closed to new applicants on February 5, 2024. It has been replaced by the Home Renovation Savings Program (HRSP) described above, which is now the primary energy-upgrade rebate for Ottawa homeowners.
Note: The federal Canada Greener Homes Grant (closed March 2024) and Greener Homes Loan (closed October 2025) are no longer available. Better Homes Ottawa and HRSP are the primary programs available.
How the Better Homes Ottawa Loan Works
Unlike a traditional loan, the Better Homes Ottawa program is a Local Improvement Charge (LIC) on your property tax:
- Repayment spread over 10-20 years through your property tax bill
- The charge stays with the property, not the homeowner – if you sell, the new owner takes over payments
- Interest rates typically lower than bank financing
- No credit check required – the property secures the loan
- Can be combined with HRSP grants to reduce the financed amount
Ottawa Solar Savings Estimate
A 10 kW system costs $28,000-$32,000. After HRSP (solar + battery): net cost varies based on battery capacity chosen. Finance the remainder through Better Homes Ottawa at zero upfront cost.
Payback: 8-11 years. 25-year savings: $30,000+.
Time-of-Use Advantage in Ottawa
Hydro Ottawa’s Time-of-Use pricing means solar panels earn maximum credits during the most expensive hours:
- Off-peak (overnight): 9.8¢/kWh
- Mid-peak: 15.7¢/kWh
- On-peak (daytime): 20.3¢/kWh
Solar generates most during on-peak hours (11am-5pm), earning you credits at 20.3¢/kWh – the highest rate tier. The Ontario Electricity Rebate provides an additional 23.5% discount on your total bill. As of May 1, 2026, the net metering threshold rose to 12 kW for residential customers.
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65 installs in Ottawa · 248 across Ontario · 491 nationwide
Completed Xolar installations — each dot represents a city where we've installed solar.
Areas We Serve in Ottawa
Professional solar panel installation available in these Ottawa neighborhoods and communities:
What Ottawa homeowners say
"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."
Ottawa solar questions
Does Ottawa have a solar financing program?
Yes.
The Better Homes Ottawa Loan provides up to $125,000 at low interest, repaid through your property tax.
Combined with HRSP (solar + battery at $300/kWh up to $5,000), Ottawa has one of the strongest solar financing stacks in Canada.
Zero upfront cost is achievable.
What is the Better Homes Ottawa Loan?
A Local Improvement Charge (LIC) program that finances energy improvements through your property tax bill.
Up to $125,000 over 10-20 years.
No credit check – the property secures the loan.
The charge transfers with the property if you sell.
Who provides electricity in Ottawa?
Hydro Ottawa.
Time-of-Use rates: 9.8¢ off-peak, 15.7¢ mid-peak, 20.3¢ on-peak (OEB RPP, Nov 2025-Oct 2026).
The Ontario Electricity Rebate provides a 23.5% discount.
Solar generates most during on-peak, earning maximum credits.
How much does solar cost in Ottawa after rebates?
A 10 kW system costs $28,000-$32,000.
After HRSP ($5,000 for solar + battery at $300/kWh up to $5,000), net cost depends on battery size.
The Better Homes Ottawa Loan can finance the remainder through your property tax with zero upfront cost.
What solar rebates are available in Ottawa?
Ottawa residents can access: Better Homes Ottawa Loan ($125K property-tax financing), Ontario HRSP ($5K solar + battery at $300/kWh up to $5K), the Enbridge Home Efficiency Rebate Plus (closed to new applicants February 2024, now replaced by HRSP).
The federal Greener Homes Grant (closed March 2024) and Greener Homes Loan (closed October 2025) are no longer available.
Check our rebates page for current programs.
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