Solar panels in Windsor, Ontario
Among the sunniest grids in Ontario — ENWIN net metering, and systems sized to match it.
Windsor produces 1,200 kWh per kW a year, among the strongest figures anywhere Xolar works in Ontario. The practical effect is that a Windsor roof needs less array than a roof further north to cover the same bill — and every system we have running in the city is small enough to take the province’s simpler grid connection.
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Real Xolar installs in Windsor
Completed systems across the Windsor service area — first-hand specs, not industry averages.
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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 3 real Windsor installs tell us
Aggregated from completed Xolar systems in Windsor — first-hand data, not industry averages.
Windsor energy & net metering
What ENWIN 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). Windsor electricity is distributed by ENWIN 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.
ENWIN Utilities Time-of-Use rates in Windsor
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.
ENWIN 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 Windsor buys.
How your system works behind the meter
Most of a Windsor 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 ENWIN Utilities for net-metering credit.
Rebates & incentives in Windsor
Every active local, provincial, federal and Xolar program a Windsor 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 Windsor, Ontario - 1,200 kWh per kW a Year
Windsor is the southernmost city in Ontario and produces the highest solar output in the province at 1,200 kWh/kW. ENWIN Utilities distributes electricity. Windsor’s location gives it more sunshine than Toronto, Ottawa, or anywhere else in Ontario, making it one of the province’s best cities for solar ROI.
Ontario’s net metering program credits excess solar at the full retail rate. With Time-of-Use billing, solar earns maximum value during on-peak hours (20.3¢/kWh). HRSP ($5K solar + battery at $300/kWh up to $5K) 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 (requires approximately 13.3 kWh to reach the cap)
- HRSP maximums are per category rather than one shared pot: up to $10,000 for solar and storage, up to $12,000 for heat pumps, up to $7,700 for insulation
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 (closed March 2024) and Greener Homes Loan (closed October 2025) are no longer available.
Windsor’s Sun Means Smaller Systems, and Smaller Systems Connect Faster
At 1,200 kWh per kW a year Windsor sits near the top of Ontario for solar yield, and the consequence shows up in the designs rather than in a brochure. Every kilowatt you install here does more work than the same kilowatt in Barrie or Ottawa, so a Windsor home covering the same annual consumption needs a smaller array to do it. The systems Xolar has running in Windsor bear that out: they have stayed well below the 12 kW ceiling that separates Ontario’s simpler micro-embedded connection from the longer process for larger generators. That ceiling is the Ontario Energy Board’s, raised from 10 kW on 1 May 2026, and ENWIN applies it like every other utility in the province. A smaller system costs less to build, and it also keeps your project on the shorter administrative path — in Windsor those two things tend to arrive together.
Canada's Warmest City, and What Heat Actually Does to a Solar Panel
Windsor is the warmest city in Canada and has the mildest winters, and it is modelled at 1,200 kWh per kW a year — second only to Chatham-Kent in Ontario. The obvious inference is that heat is what makes solar work well here. That is not quite right, and the distinction is worth understanding.
Solar panels are driven by light, not warmth, and they actually become slightly less efficient as they get hotter. A panel on a 35-degree July afternoon converts a little less of the light hitting it than the same panel would on a bright, cold spring day. What makes Windsor strong is the light — long summer days, high sun angle and comparatively little cloud — not the temperature, which is a mild penalty rather than a bonus.
Where Windsor’s climate genuinely helps is on the demand side, and this is the part that shows up on the bill. Air conditioning runs hardest on exactly the hot, bright afternoons when a rooftop array is producing most, and those afternoons fall inside Ontario’s 20.3-cent on-peak window. Cooling load and solar output line up almost perfectly here in a way they do not in a northern city where the summer peak is smaller and the winter heating load, which solar cannot cover well, is larger.
The result is a payback of 7 to 10 years, the shortest band on this site, shared only with Sarnia and Chatham-Kent along the same stretch of southwestern Ontario. Electricity here is distributed by ENWIN Utilities.
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Areas We Serve in Windsor
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What Windsor homeowners say
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"phenomenally informative without aggressive sales or pushiness. really excited to get my solar panels!"
"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."
"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."
"Update: Now having concluded the full process with Xolar, I can say that any initial hesitations or fears have been fully relieved. The process was smooth and seamless. Every company representative I dealt with was excellent. Shout out to Vlad and his install team - hardest working crew I’ve ever had do work at my home (really). If you’re looking for a good company to work with, I highly recommend Xolar!!!!I'm completing this after my initial (first and only) discussion with the company representative. I was impressed with his communication style and product/program knowledge. If the entire solar installation process is as seamless as my initial discussion I will be very impressed."
"I had a call today with Spencer, he was extremely helpful."
"The XOLAR Sales teach and tech support group were easy to deal with and provided all the information needed to make our decision."
Windsor solar questions
Is Windsor good for solar?
Windsor has the highest solar production in Ontario at 1,200 kWh/kW – the southernmost major city in the province gets more sunshine than Toronto, Ottawa, or anywhere else in Ontario.
What is the payback for solar in Windsor?
7-10 years – among the shortest in Ontario thanks to the highest production in the province.
HRSP ($5K solar + battery at $300/kWh up to $5K) or net metering available.
Who provides electricity in Windsor?
ENWIN Utilities distributes electricity in Windsor.
Ontario’s 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.
How does net metering work in Windsor?
ENWIN 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 residential threshold is 12 kW.
Note: Solar under HRSP cannot use net metering – customers must choose between the HRSP rebate or net metering credits.
What size solar system do Windsor homes usually need?
Smaller than most of Ontario, because Windsor’s sun does more per panel.
The systems Xolar has installed here have stayed comfortably below the 12 kW threshold for Ontario’s simpler grid connection.
Your own size comes from your roof and your actual consumption — but at 1,200 kWh per kW, it takes less array here than almost anywhere else in the province to cover the same bill.
Does Windsor's heat reduce how much solar panels produce?
Slightly, yes — panels lose a little efficiency as they get hotter, so a very hot afternoon converts marginally less of the available light than a bright cool day would.
It is a small penalty and it does not undo Windsor’s advantage, which comes from light rather than warmth: long summer days, a high sun angle and relatively little cloud give Windsor 1,200 kWh per kW a year, second only to Chatham-Kent in Ontario.
The heat helps in a different way, on the demand side.
Air conditioning runs hardest on the same bright afternoons when the array is producing most, and those hours fall in Ontario’s 20.3-cent on-peak window — so the electricity you avoid buying is the expensive kind.
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