British Columbia · BC Hydro Solar + Battery Rebate
BC Hydro Solar and Battery Rebate 2026: Rates, Peak Saver and the New Rules
Last updated November 1, 2026 · Verified against BC Hydro's current program pages
The short answer
BC Hydro offers up to $5,000 for solar panels and up to $5,000 for a home battery, for a combined $10,000. But the program changed three times in 2026: the battery rebate was cut in April, a contractor requirement started in June, and net metering was replaced with a new self-generation rate on July 1. Many guides online predate these changes. This one is current.
warningVerify before you apply
This program changed three times in 2026 and rebates are first come, first served while funding lasts. The rates, Peak Saver battery list, and HPCN contractor requirement below are compiled to the best of our ability from BC Hydro's own program pages at time of writing. Before you buy equipment or sign a contract, call BC Hydro at 1-800-224-9376, confirm the current Peak Saver battery list, confirm your installer's HPCN membership, and verify your personal eligibility. SolarQuotes.ca is not responsible for program changes.
Key points
- ●Solar: $1,000 per kW, up to $5,000, capped at 50% of installed cost.
- ●Battery: up to $1,500 when paired with solar, or up to $5,000 if the battery is enrolled in Peak Saver. Only a few models qualify for Peak Saver.
- ●Since June 1, 2026, your installer must belong to BC's Home Performance Contractor Network (HPCN).
- ●Since July 1, 2026, net metering is closed to new customers. Taking the solar rebate puts you on the new rate, which pays 10¢/kWh for extra power you send to the grid.
- ●Tesla batteries are not eligible.
- ●FortisBC customers don't qualify.
The rebates at a glance
BC Hydro, together with the City of New Westminster, which shares the program, pays:
| Upgrade | Rebate rate | Maximum for a home |
|---|---|---|
| Solar panels | $1,000 per kW of installed DC capacity | $5,000 |
| Battery paired with solar | $500 per kWh | $1,500 |
| Battery enrolled in Peak Saver | $500 per kWh | $5,000 |
All rebates are capped at 50% of installed cost, including labour and materials, and are first come, first served while funding lasts. Higher caps apply to commercial and multi-unit buildings ($10,000) and to social housing, Indigenous governments and remote communities ($50,000). Getting the full $10,000 takes a solar system of 5 kW or more, plus a battery from the Peak Saver list, enrolled in Peak Saver on time.
Change #1: The April 2026 battery cut
From April 1, 2026, the battery rebate was restructured:
- ●Batteries paired with solar now get up to $1,500, down from up to $5,000 before.
- ●Batteries installed without solar no longer qualify, unless they're enrolled in Peak Saver.
- ●Only batteries on BC Hydro's Peak Saver list can get the full $5,000. At the time of writing, that's the Eguana Evolve (14 or 28 kWh) and the SolarEdge Energy Bank (9.7 kWh).
BC Hydro has said it's reviewing Peak Saver to add more battery models this fiscal year, so check the current list before you buy.
Peak Saver, explained
Peak Saver is BC Hydro's program that pays you to use less power during “peak events” — the short periods when demand on the grid is highest.
1. Challenges
Opt in to cut your usage during each peak event. If you hit the target, you earn a reward, averaging about $3 per event.
2. Device enrollment
Let BC Hydro adjust enrolled devices (smart thermostats, EV chargers, water heaters and home batteries) automatically during peak events. Override any time. Enrolled devices earn a sign-up bonus plus $50 in seasonal rewards per device type.
Why it matters for battery owners: a battery is an ideal Peak Saver device, because BC Hydro can draw from it during peak events without you changing anything at home. Enrolling it is also what raises your battery rebate from $1,500 to up to $5,000.
Watch the deadline: you must enroll the battery in Peak Saver within 14 days of interconnection approval to get the higher rebate. Customers in remote off-grid communities aren't eligible for Peak Saver.
Change #2: The June 2026 contractor rule
Since June 1, 2026, solar and battery systems must be installed by a member of the Home Performance Contractor Network (HPCN) to qualify for BC Hydro rebates.
Before you sign anything, confirm your installer is an HPCN member. A low price from a non-member could cost you the entire rebate.
Need an HPCN-member installer?
We only route BC quote requests to installers who confirm their HPCN membership. Get a detailed quote with both rebate math (RS 2289 export at 10¢/kWh) and alternative battery options spelled out.
Change #3: Net metering is closed, and the new self-generation rate
From July 1, 2026, BC Hydro closed its net metering rate (Rate Schedule 1289) to new customers and replaced it with a new self-generation rate (Rate Schedule 2289):
| Old net metering (RS 1289) | New self-generation rate (RS 2289) | |
|---|---|---|
| Extra power you send to the grid | Banked as kWh credits for later bills | Bought by BC Hydro at 10¢/kWh |
| When you're paid | Credits offset future bills | Each billing cycle |
| System size limit | — | Up to 100 kW per phase |
Who's on which rate:
- ●Existing net metering customers stay on RS 1289 for 10 years from their start date, then move to RS 2289 automatically.
- ●Anyone who takes BC Hydro's solar rebate goes on RS 2289. Customers who got a solar rebate before March 24, 2026 had a one-time option to repay it and stay on net metering. BC Hydro's own comparison shows that keeping the rebate and moving to RS 2289 gives a shorter payback.
- ●Battery-only rebate customers keep whatever rate they were on.
What 10¢/kWh means for you: BC Hydro's residential electricity rates run roughly 11.9–14.1¢/kWh. So every kWh you use yourself saves you more than a kWh you export. That makes it worth sizing your system to your own use, and it strengthens the case for adding a battery to store daytime solar for the evening.
The Tesla exclusion
Since March 12, 2025, Tesla products haven't been eligible for CleanBC or BC Hydro rebates. The province and BC Hydro now favour Canadian products and exclude U.S.-made ones where practical. Only customers with technical acceptance before that date kept eligibility. If you're choosing a battery in BC, start with BC Hydro's qualified list. Our Tesla Powerwall Canada guide compares the alternatives.
Eligibility checklist
checklistBC Hydro Rebate Eligibility
- check_box_outline_blankYou have a BC Hydro or City of New Westminster residential account. FortisBC customers aren't eligible.
- check_box_outline_blankYou own the property. The rebate is paid to the registered owner, and rented properties qualify.
- check_box_outline_blankThe property is connected to the grid in BC Hydro's service area.
- check_box_outline_blankYour installer is an HPCN member (required since June 1, 2026).
- check_box_outline_blankYour battery is at least 5 kWh and on the qualified list. Tesla isn't.
- check_box_outline_blankFor the $5,000 battery rebate, the battery is on the Peak Saver list and enrolled within 14 days of interconnection approval.
New Westminster residents: the city's own program with BC Hydro offers up to $6,500 for eligible solar and battery projects.
What solar costs in BC
- ●Greater Vancouver: a typical 6–10 kW home system costs about $18,000–$32,000 installed, before rebates.
- ●Across BC: about $20,000–$35,000.
- ●Payback: typically 10–14 years with the rebate.
- ●Example: a $25,000, 8 kW system with a Peak Saver battery could get up to $10,000 back in combined rebates. Solar equipment in BC is also exempt from PST.
How BC compares with Ontario
Both provinces cap combined solar and battery rebates at $10,000, but the trade-offs differ:
Ontario (HRSP)
Taking the rebate means no net metering and no payment for exports at all. See our Ontario solar rebate guide.
British Columbia (BC Hydro)
Taking the rebate puts you on RS 2289, which still pays 10¢/kWh for exports, in cash each billing cycle.
For a broader look at what's available across Canada, see what replaced the Greener Homes Grant. If backup power is your main reason for a battery, see our guide to solar and battery backup for power outages.
Get a detailed BC solar + battery quote
Required contact info ships straight to a vetted BC HPCN-member installer who will model your rebate + RS 2289 payback for your actual roof and hourly usage.
Related reading
Ontario HRSP rebate guide
The Ontario version. Same $10K cap, different (and permanent) net-metering tradeoff.
Tesla Powerwall in Canada: cost + alternatives
Why Tesla doesn't qualify in BC, which batteries do, and the real installed-pricing numbers.
Canada Greener Homes Grant — closed. What replaced it.
Federal rebate landscape: what you can and can't apply for in 2026.
Solar battery backup — 3 to 7 day outage pillar
Why a battery is a resilience play even when the rebate math is marginal.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the BC Hydro solar rebate?
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How much is the BC Hydro battery rebate?
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Can I get a BC Hydro battery rebate without solar panels?
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What is BC Hydro Peak Saver?
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Does BC Hydro still offer net metering?
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Do I need a special contractor for the BC Hydro rebate?
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Can I get the BC Hydro rebate with a Tesla Powerwall?
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Do FortisBC customers qualify?
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Get quotes from BC installers
The quickest way to see your real rebate and payback is to get quotes. Ask each installer to confirm their HPCN membership and which batteries on their quote qualify for Peak Saver.
Free · No obligation · BC installers only
Last updated November 1, 2026. This program changed three times in 2026. Rebates are first come, first served while funding lasts. Confirm current amounts, the Peak Saver battery list and contractor rules with BC Hydro before you sign a contract.