On June 27, the Government of B.C. announced that BC HYDRO is introducing new rebates for customers looking to install solar panels and battery energy storage systems. To be eligible for rebates, installations and connections must meet all eligibility requirements.

Full eligibility details and information on how to apply will be available when the program officially launches later in July.

Customer eligibility:

In addition to meeting the other terms and conditions herein, applicants must meet all of the following requirements in order to be eligible for a Rebate, as applicable:

1. If the Customer is an individual, they are 18 years of age or older;
2. You are a Customer in BC Hydro’s service area;
3. You own an Eligible Property in BC Hydro’s service area;
4. You purchase and install Eligible Products at the Eligible Property referred to in section 3(c)
5. There is an active BC Hydro account connected to a bi-directional communicating meter associated with the Eligible Property referred to in section 3(c); and
6. BC Hydro provides service at the Eligible Property referred to in section 3(c) in accordance with one of the eligible rate schedules in Appendix 1 (if all of the requirements are met, as applicable, each an “Eligible Customer”).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, BC Hydro reserves the right, at its sole discretion to determine whether an individual is an Eligible Customer for the purposes of the Offer and BC Hydro’s determination shall be final and not subject to review or appeal.

Full rebate details will be available to customers once the program is officially launched.

Energy Economics are proud members of the BCSEA.  

Temporary Rebate Application Process

For Solar Installations between June 27th and official program launch customers who have submitted net metering applications for solar PV systems (with or without a battery) and install eligible equipment between June 27th and program launch will need to manually apply for the rebate through an alternative application form.  

BC Hydro will contact new customers who apply for net metering after June 27, 2024, directly at the e-mail they provided on their net metering application form with rebate application details later in July.  

Customers who submitted net metering applications prior to June 27th and install eligible systems after July 27, can contact us at [email protected] to apply for a rebate after the system is installed and approved for interconnection.  

Retroactive rebate applications will only be available for customers who submitted net metering applications on or after May 1, 2024 AND installed on or after June 27th, 2024. No exceptions will be granted.   Application date is based on the date the customer submitted the application to BC Hydro for review. 

Are customers who install systems before the program launch date eligible for the rebate?

BC Hydro will accept rebate applications for eligible solar generation projects (with or without a battery) installed after June 27th that have received approval for net metering.  Net metering applications must have been submitted on or after May 1, 2024.   Rebate applications for battery only projects installed prior to program launch are not eligible for the retroactive rebate.  

Can the contractor submit the rebate application for the customers?

No, the rebate application must be submitted by the customer.  After official program launch in late July, rebate applications will be available when the customer reviews and submits their net metering application via the myHydro online portal.  Contractors can start the net metering application for the customer and fill out all the system technical details.  Customers who open a draft application created by their contractor will be presented with the option to apply for a rebate for the project if they are eligible.

Are customers pre-approved for the rebate?

Customers are given an estimated rebate amount based on the information provided in the net metering application. Actual rebate amount is confirmed once equipment is installed, all documentation is submitted and their net metering interconnection is approved.  

Do customers need to do a pre and post energy assessment to qualify for the rebates?

No, a pre and post energy assessment is not required for our rebates.  

Do customers need to install solar panels AND a battery energy storage system to qualify?

Customers can choose to install a battery energy storage system only or solar panels only.

Can customers get a rebate if they are replacing or adding on to an existing system or components?

Replacement of system components without any change of system capacity or size is not eligible for a rebate.  Replacement or addition associated with an increase to the size or capacity of the system is eligible for a rebate for the incremental increase in the system size or capacity.  

• e.g. Replacing a 5 kW solar PV system with a 5 kW solar PV system – not eligible for a rebate
  
• e.g. Replacing a 5 kW solar PV system with a 8 kW solar PV system or adding 3 kW solar PV system to an existing 5 kW solar PV system – eligible for a rebate for the 3 kW capacity increase
  
• e.g. Replacing a 5 kWh battery with a 5 kWh battery – not eligible for a rebate
  
• e.g. replacing a 5 kWh battery with a 6 kWh battery – eligible for the 1kWh increase in storage size.

Can rebates be combined with other funding received from other third-party funders
(ie. Greener Homes Grant)?

Yes, however the total rebate payment when combined with the third-party funding cannot exceed the total project cost (including labour materials).  

Can customers applying for the Greener Homes Loan program qualify for rebates?

Yes. These are two separate programs with different requirements, one run by BC Hydro and one run by the Federal Government.  

Are customer eligible for the rebate on a secondary home or is it only for primary residences?

Customers can apply for the rebate for all residences, as long as they meet all eligibility requirements.