Solar Tax Credits, Incentives and Solar Rebates in Canada

→ See rebates in the United States


Latest Update: December 2018

Continuous reductions in PV system costs and a handful of provincial incentive programs are slowly, but surely, changing Canada's residential electricity landscape. Motivated by environmental as well as financial reasons, more and more Canadians are switching to solar power.

With its generous rates, Ontario's feed-in-tariff program created a solar boom in this province. Currently, the vast majority of installed solar capacity in Canada is located in Ontario. However, Ontario's MicroFIT program is no longer considering applications, so homeowners that install solar panels will now be part of the province's net metering program. In Canada's other provinces and territories interest in solar energy is growing, in part as a result of new incentive programs that are designed to stimulate the demand for solar power.

Unfortunately, Canada does not have a federal tax credit for solar energy. In our opinion, a program modeled on the U.S. Federal Investment Tax Credit can be particularly effective, sending a clear message to Canadian consumers. In Canada, available incentives programs are mostly at the provincial/territorial level with a few local/municipal programs. These financial incentives and regulatory programs can significantly improve the financial feasibility of installing solar panels for your home, cottage or business. For more information on how to pay for your solar panels in Canada, click here.

Click on your province/territory to get details on incentive programs and see if solar power can save you money.


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Summary Data for Manitoba

Province/Territory Capital Winnipeg
Solar Value Index $573
Solar Energy Produced 5783 kWh / year
Average retail electricity price (2017 data) 9.9 cents / kWh
Average annual consumption per household (2014 data) 17328 kWh
Levelized Cost of Solar Electricity 11.41 cents / kWh
Reached grid parity? Not yet

The southern portions of the prairie provinces have the best solar energy potential in Canada. In Winnipeg alone, it's estimated that the solar photovoltaic rooftop potential is 3,000 megawatts. Up to this point, it's been hard to compete with hydro-electricity. However, the picture is set to change with significant utility rate hikes by Manitoba Hydro in the coming years. The future for solar in Manitoba is bright!

→ Should I get solar panels in Winnipeg?

List of Solar PV Incentive Programs in Manitoba

Residential Earth Power Loan

Our Residential Earth Power Loan is an option if you would like to make energy efficiency upgrades to your home, including solar photovoltaic systems. The loan is applicable to residential, non-seasonal customers only. Your monthly payment will be added to your energy bill. The minimum allowable loan amount is $500, and up to $30,000 for solar photovoltaic panels. Solar PV financing is calculated based on $3 per watt installed; the maximum term is 15 years; no down payment is required; the loan becomes due and payable when the house is sold; the loan is not transferrable; and the annual interest rate is fixed at 4.9 per cent (O.A.C.) for the first 5 years.

List of Solar PV Incentive Programs in Manitoba

Generating your own electricity

Customers who own their own electric renewable generation systems may connect to our distribution system, as long as they follow procedures that have been adopted to safely protect the customer and Manitoba Hydro. Customer owned generation (10 MW or less, at a voltage no greater than 25 kV) refers to electricity production that is created by the customer using renewable energy (e.g. wind or solar) or non-renewable energy (e.g. fossil fuels). This generation must meet applicable provincial, federal, and municipal licenses, permits, and approvals. If a generator produces less than 200 kW, we will purchase excess energy at the standard residential run-off rate. For generators producing 200 kW or greater, we will negotiate a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the generator based on hours of operation, type, reliability, etc. If you are generating more energy than you are using, your excess energy can be sold back to Manitoba Hydro at the excess energy price (for generators less than 100 kW). Until March 31, 2022 the excess energy price is $0.02403/kWh. This price is updated annually so that it reflects the current market value of excess energy and is not equal to MH's electricity rates.

Federal Incentive Programs

Methodology Notes

Latest Update: December 2018

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