Solar rebates in Canada have shifted a lot over the past year, and the changes have not all been good news. If you looked into solar rebates even a year ago and are just now getting back to it, some of what you remember about what is available is probably out of date. Here is where solar rebates actually stand for homeowners in Kelowna and across the Okanagan as of mid-2026.
What Changed at the Federal Level
The Greener Homes Loan Program Is Closed
The Canada Greener Homes Loan, which offered interest-free financing for home energy upgrades including solar, stopped accepting new applications on October 1, 2025. The Greener Homes Grant that preceded it had already wound down before that. For homeowners planning a solar project today, federal financing is no longer part of the equation, which puts more weight on what British Columbia offers at the provincial and utility level.
BC Is One of the Stronger Provinces Left Standing
With federal support gone, the incentive picture across Canada now varies a great deal by province. British Columbia is one of the places where meaningful solar rebates still exist, largely through BC Hydro rather than the provincial government directly. That makes BC a genuinely reasonable place to be considering solar in 2026, even without the federal programs that used to anchor the conversation.
What BC Hydro Currently Offers
Solar Rebates for Panels and Battery Storage
BC Hydro’s self-generation program offers solar rebates of up to five thousand dollars for eligible grid-connected solar panel systems, with an additional rebate of up to five thousand dollars available for battery storage installed alongside solar. As of April 2026, battery-only applications are no longer eligible on their own. A battery either needs to be paired with a new solar installation or added to a system you already have in place.
Your Installer’s Certification Now Matters More
Starting June 1, 2026, BC Hydro requires that solar and battery installations be completed by a contractor registered with the Home Performance Contractor Network in order to qualify for solar rebates. This is a meaningful change. Before signing with any installer, it is worth confirming their registration status directly, since an otherwise excellent installation will not qualify for solar rebates if the contractor is not on that list.
Net Metering Just Changed Too
This is the part most homeowners have not caught up on yet. As of July 1, 2026, BC Hydro’s original net metering rate schedule closed to new customers. Anyone connecting a new solar system after that date is placed on a new self-generation service rate instead. The practical effect on how exported power gets credited is different enough that it is worth a direct conversation with your installer about how the new rate structure will affect your specific system and usage pattern, rather than assuming it works the same way older systems do.
A Few Other Savings Worth Knowing About
Provincial Sales Tax Exemption
British Columbia does not charge its 7 percent provincial sales tax on eligible solar equipment. This applies at the point of purchase and is one of the more straightforward savings available, since it requires no application or approval process on your part.
Property and Municipal Programs Vary
Some municipalities and regional districts across BC offer additional incentives on top of what BC Hydro provides, though these vary quite a bit by location and are not consistent province wide. It is worth checking with your local municipality directly rather than assuming a program that applies in one Okanagan community also applies in another.
Making Sense of It All
Solar rebates move fast enough that what was true a year ago is not necessarily true now, and what is true today may look different again next year. The most reliable way to know exactly what you qualify for is to work with an installer who stays current on the requirements and handles the application process directly, since a lot of these programs depend on paperwork being submitted correctly and on time.
Enjoying the Okanagan While Your System Gets Installed
Most solar installations are completed in a matter of days, which leaves plenty of time to enjoy what Kelowna has to offer while the work is underway. The downtown waterfront along Okanagan Lake, including Waterfront Park’s boardwalk and lakeside gardens, is a nice way to spend an afternoon and is maintained by the City of Kelowna at Kelowna Waterfront Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the federal solar rebate still available in 2026?
No. The Canada Greener Homes Grant wound down before the associated loan program closed to new applications on October 1, 2025. Homeowners in BC now rely primarily on BC Hydro’s provincial rebate programs.
How much can I actually get from BC Hydro solar rebates?
Eligible homeowners can receive up to five thousand dollars for a qualifying grid-connected solar installation, plus up to an additional five thousand dollars if battery storage is added at the same time or to an existing solar system.
Does my installer need a specific certification to qualify for rebates?
Yes, as of June 1, 2026, your installation must be completed by a contractor registered with the Home Performance Contractor Network for the project to be eligible for BC Hydro rebates. Confirm this directly with any installer before signing a contract.
What is the difference between net metering and the new self-generation rate?
Net metering was BC Hydro’s original billing structure for solar customers exporting power back to the grid, but that rate schedule closed to new customers on July 1, 2026. New solar customers are now placed on a self-generation service rate, which has its own terms for how exported energy is credited. Ask your installer to walk through how this affects your specific project.
Curious what solar rebates you actually qualify for? Schedule your consultation with Revolve Solar and we will walk you through the current programs.