Solar panels in St. Catharines, Ontario
Professional solar panel installation in St. Catharines, Ontario. Alectra Utilities customers here save $2,080/year on average.
We design, permit and install grid-tied solar across St. Catharines and 6 surrounding neighbourhoods, and we handle the Alectra Utilities interconnection paperwork for you.
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Custom solar solutions for St. Catharines, ON
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Real Xolar installs in St. Catharines
Completed systems across the St. Catharines service area — first-hand specs, not industry averages.
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Niagara Falls — 15 kW rooftop
South-facing asphalt shingle · completed September 2023 · 40 progress photos on file
What 3 real St. Catharines installs tell us
Aggregated from completed Xolar systems in St. Catharines — first-hand data, not industry averages.
St. Catharines energy & net metering
What Alectra Utilities 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). St. Catharines electricity is distributed by Alectra Utilities. 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.
Alectra Utilities Time-of-Use rates in St. Catharines
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.
Alectra Utilities 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 St. Catharines buys.
How your system works behind the meter
Most of a St. Catharines 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 Alectra Utilities for net-metering credit.
Rebates & incentives in St. Catharines
Every active local, provincial, federal and Xolar program a St. Catharines homeowner can stack.
- 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)
Solar Panels in St. Catharines, Ontario
St. Catharines in the Niagara Region produces 1,150 kWh per kW annually. Alectra Utilities distributes electricity. The Niagara Region’s moderate climate with lake-effect moderation supports strong year-round solar performance.
Ontario’s net metering program credits excess solar at the full retail rate. HRSP ($10K for solar + battery) or net metering available – but not both.
Ontario HRSP - Up to $10,000 for Solar + Battery
Ontario’s Home Renovation Savings Program (HRSP), launched January 2025, offers:
- Up to $5,000 for solar panels ($1,000/kW)
- Battery storage at $300/kWh up to $5,000
- Maximum total program rebate: $12,000 (across all eligible upgrades)
Important – HRSP vs. Net Metering: Solar installed under HRSP must be sized for on-site load displacement only – net metering is not permitted under HRSP. If you prefer net metering (earning 1:1 credits for excess solar), you would not apply through HRSP. Your Xolar advisor can help determine which option provides the best return.
Note: The Canada Greener Homes Grant and Loan programs are now closed.
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Showing Ontario — 264 installs · 534 nationwide
Completed Xolar installations — each dot represents a city where we've installed solar.
Areas We Serve in St. Catharines
Professional solar panel installation available in these St. Catharines neighborhoods and communities:
What St. Catharines homeowners say
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"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."
"Xolar rep is very knowledgeable about solar product and the government rebates that can help make the project happen. Spencer was able to answer all my questions and made the decision to proceed with the application an easy one."
"I was interested and curious in solar panels. I had researched and had quotes from a few providers. Xolar took the time to explain to me the process (without talking down to me), and clearly laid out how to manage the Canada Green Homes Loan. I never had to wait more than a day to an answer to any question I had during the installation process. I found Xolar to be professional and competent, and the organization cared more about quality of product then just making a profit."
"Abe was very attentive to my needs, he thoroughly explained the proposal he sent, and answered all my questions in detail. We chatted about a few other subjects and I discovered that he is a pleasant and knowledgable person to deal with."
"Xolar installed panels to our home. They were very professional and excellent at getting back to us. I would definitely recommend them to others ."
"Spoke with a representative. Very pleasant and professional.all representatives of the team were helpful, courteous and professional. I highly recommend Xolar"
St. Catharines solar questions
What solar production does St. Catharines get?
1,150 kWh/kW – solid for southern Ontario.
Niagara Region gets good sunshine.
HRSP ($10K for solar + battery) or net metering available.
What solar rebates are available in St. Catharines?
Ontario’s HRSP provides up to $5,000 for solar + battery storage at $300/kWh up to $5,000 ($12,000 combined program cap).
Important: HRSP solar cannot use net metering – customers must choose one or the other.
The federal Greener Homes programs are now closed.
Who provides electricity in St. Catharines?
Alectra Utilities distributes electricity in St.
Catharines.
Ontario’s Time-of-Use rates: 9.8¢ off-peak, 15.7¢ mid-peak, 20.3¢ on-peak.
The Ontario Electricity Rebate provides a 23.5% discount.
How does net metering work in St. Catharines?
Alectra Utilities offers 1:1 net metering – excess solar earns credits at the full retail rate.
Credits roll over for 12 months.
As of May 1, 2026, the net metering system size threshold was raised to 12 kW for residential customers.
Note: Solar under HRSP cannot use net metering.
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Solar installation across Ontario
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