Solar panels in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan: 10 Xolar installs in Saskatoon
Saskatoon's 1:1 Net Metering Advantage for Home Solar
Saskatoon has a factor most people don’t know about: Saskatoon Light & Power (SL&P) runs its own net metering program. New SL&P applicants earn 8.25¢/kWh for exported power, above SaskPower’s 7.5¢, and earlier customers keep 1:1 full–retail credits for years. Saskatchewan has the highest solar irradiance in Canada, and Saskatoon produces 1,320 kWh/kW annually – more than Calgary, Toronto, or Vancouver.
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Saskatoon — 19.4 kW rooftop
Completed February 2025
Real Xolar installs in Saskatoon
Completed systems across the Saskatoon service area — first-hand specs, not industry averages.
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What 10 real Saskatoon installs tell us
Aggregated from completed Xolar systems in Saskatoon — first-hand data, not industry averages.
Saskatoon energy & net metering
What Saskatoon Light & Power / SaskPower charges here, and how surplus solar is credited in Saskatchewan.
Saskatchewan’s energy charge is 15.476¢/kWh (effective February 1, 2026), plus a $31.16/month basic charge. The blended all–in rate is approximately 18¢/kWh depending on usage. SaskPower has applied for a further 3.9% increase for 2027, which is still under review. Saskatchewan has the highest solar irradiance in Canada.
How your system works behind the meter
Most of a Saskatoon 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 15.476¢/kWh. Only the surplus flows past the meter to Saskatoon Light & Power / SaskPower for net-metering credit.
Rebates & incentives in Saskatoon
Every active local, provincial, federal and Xolar program a Saskatoon homeowner can stack.
- $1,000–$40,000 ($60,000 with 50% energy reduction)Saskatoon HELP Program – Loan
- Up to $1,000HELP Program – Rebate
- Up to $1625Fall 2026 Sale – Battery
- Up to $2550Fall 2026 Sale – Solar
- Up to $475Fall 2026 Sale – Heat Pump
Saskatoon Solar and Net Metering: What You Need to Know
Saskatoon has a key factor that affects solar economics: which utility serves your address. Saskatoon Light & Power (SL&P) covers the original 1958 city boundary; outer and newer neighborhoods are served by SaskPower.
SL&P update (November 26, 2025): SL&P ended 1:1 net metering for new applicants, who now earn 8.25¢/kWh for exports (SaskPower pays 7.5¢). Customers who enrolled on or before November 30, 2019 keep 1:1 credits until December 31, 2028; those who enrolled from December 1, 2019 to November 26, 2025 keep them for 10 years from their enrolment date.
Saskatchewan has the highest solar irradiance in Canada. Saskatoon produces 1,320 kWh/kW – more than Calgary (1,292), Toronto (1,170), or Vancouver (1,010). With SaskPower net metering extended to March 31, 2029, payback for new installs is about 13-17 years.
SL&P vs SaskPower: Net Metering Rates
This is the most important factor for Saskatoon solar economics:
- SL&P, enrolled on or before Nov 30, 2019: 1:1 net metering at the full retail rate until December 31, 2028.
- SL&P, enrolled Dec 1, 2019 to Nov 26, 2025: 1:1 net metering at the full retail rate for 10 years from the enrolment date.
- SL&P, new applicants since Nov 26, 2025: 8.25¢/kWh for exported power.
- SaskPower: net metering credits at 7.5¢/kWh until March 31, 2029.
Check your utility bill to see which provider serves your address. SL&P covers the 1958 city boundary (central Saskatoon). Outer and newer neighborhoods are SaskPower.
Saskatchewan Solar Production
Saskatchewan leads Canada in solar irradiance:
- Saskatoon: 1,320 kWh/kW/year
- Higher than Calgary (1,292), Toronto (1,170), Vancouver (1,010)
- 2,381 hours of sunshine annually
This exceptional solar resource means your panels generate more power per dollar invested than almost anywhere else in Canada.
Saskatoon Solar Incentives & Financing
Saskatoon HELP Loan
The City of Saskatoon Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) offers PACE financing repaid through your property tax: up to $40,000, or up to $60,000 when the project verifies a 50% or greater reduction in home energy use, over 5, 10, or 20 year terms. Solar PV is eligible. HELP also includes a $1,000 rebate toward the required EnerGuide energy assessment. As of June 2026.
SaskPower Net Metering – Extended to 2029
SaskPower’s net metering program has been extended to March 31, 2029 at 7.5¢/kWh. Credits do not expire until your account is closed. New Saskatoon Light & Power net metering customers (applying after November 26, 2025) receive 8.25¢/kWh.
Federal Greener Homes Programs – Closed
The Canada Greener Homes Grant and Loan programs are now closed. The Saskatoon HELP program and SaskPower rate increases remain the primary drivers for going solar.
SaskPower Rates Rising
3.9% interim increase on February 1, 2026, and SaskPower is seeking a further 3.9% for February 2027, pending the Saskatchewan Rate Review Panel. Every rate increase makes your fixed solar cost more valuable.
Saskatoon Solar Savings Estimate
- New SL&P (8.25¢/kWh) or SaskPower (7.5¢/kWh) customers: 10 kW system at $28,000-$32,000, payback about 13-17 years
- SL&P grandfathered (enrolled before Nov 26, 2025): Same system, payback 8-12 years while the 1:1 rate lasts
Rising rates improve ROI for both – every rate increase makes your fixed solar cost more valuable.
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10 installs in Saskatoon · 17 across Saskatchewan · 549 nationwide
Completed Xolar installations — each dot represents a city where we've installed solar.
Areas We Serve in Saskatoon
Professional solar panel installation available in these Saskatoon neighborhoods and communities:
What Saskatoon homeowners say
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"Great service David was friendly and professional answered all my question I would recommend to anyone the is interested in solar to give xolar try"
"Nice informative chat with Vivek Prashad. Lots of details provided in quote. Easy to deal with."
"Their proposal is good with detailed explanation. Good service."
Saskatoon solar questions
Does Saskatoon have 1:1 net metering?
Saskatoon Light & Power (SL&P) ended 1:1 net metering for new applicants on November 26, 2025.
New applicants now earn 8.25¢/kWh for exported power (SaskPower pays 7.5¢/kWh).
Customers who enrolled on or before November 30, 2019 keep 1:1 retail-rate credits until December 31, 2028; those who enrolled from December 1, 2019 to November 26, 2025 keep them for 10 years from their enrolment date.
SaskPower customers in outer Saskatoon receive 7.5¢/kWh credits.
Check your utility bill to confirm your provider.
How much sun does Saskatoon get for solar?
Saskatoon has more solar potential than almost anywhere in Canada, producing 1,320 kWh/kW annually with 2,381 sunshine hours.
This is higher than Calgary, Toronto, or Vancouver.
How much do solar panels cost in Saskatoon?
A 10 kW system costs $28,000-$32,000 including installation, permits, and warranty.
The Saskatoon HELP program provides PACE financing up to $60,000 via property tax.
No provincial rebate is currently available from SaskPower.
The federal Greener Homes programs are now closed.
What is the payback period for solar in Saskatoon?
New installations earn 8.25¢/kWh with SL&P or 7.5¢/kWh with SaskPower, for a payback of about 13-17 years.
SL&P customers who enrolled before November 26, 2025 keep 1:1 retail-rate credits (until December 31, 2028 if enrolled on or before November 30, 2019; otherwise for 10 years from enrolment), giving them an 8-12 year payback.
Rising SaskPower rates (3.9% increases) improve the economics over time.
Is SaskPower changing its net metering program?
SaskPower’s net metering program (7.5¢/kWh credit) runs to March 31, 2029; terms after 2029 have not been announced.
SL&P ended 1:1 net metering for new customers on November 26, 2025, and new SL&P customers now earn 8.25¢/kWh.
What changed for Saskatoon solar on 26 November 2025?
That is the grandfathering cut-off, and it is the single biggest factor in what a Saskatoon system is worth.
Customers who enrolled with Saskatoon Light & Power before 26 November 2025 keep 1:1 retail-rate credits (until 31 December 2028 for those enrolled on or before 30 November 2019, otherwise for 10 years from enrolment), with paybacks in the 8 to 12 year range.
New connections since then work out at 13 to 17 years instead.
Nothing about the sunshine changed – Saskatoon still produces about 1,320 kWh per kW, higher than Calgary, Toronto or Vancouver – what changed is what your exported surplus earns.
If you are quoted a payback in the single digits today, ask specifically whether that figure assumes grandfathered terms you may not qualify for.
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