Solar incentives in Ontario have changed significantly heading into 2026. Two major federal programs — the Canada Greener Homes Grant and Greener Homes Loan — have both closed. The good news: Ontario’s solar environment is stronger than ever, and there are still attractive incentives available to GTA homeowners and businesses. Here are the top four.
Solar Incentive #1: Ontario Home Renovation Savings Program — Solar Panels
Ontario’s Home Renovation Savings (HRS) Program is now the leading incentive for residential solar in the province. Delivered through Save on Energy and backed by the Ontario government, it offers substantial rebates for homeowners who install rooftop solar panels.
- Maximum rebate: Up to $5,000 rebate for solar panel installation
- Who qualifies: Single detached, semi-detached, row houses, townhomes, and mobile homes on permanent foundations
- How to apply: Pre-approval is required before installation begins — retroactive applications are not accepted
- Availability: Program funded through November 2026 on a first-come, first-served basis
Important: Homeowners who receive an HRS rebate are not eligible for net metering. See Incentive #3 below for details on this trade-off.
Contact Solar Direct Canada for a free Home Energy Assessment, or visit the program website to start your pre-approval.
Learn more: Ontario Home Renovation Savings Program
Solar Incentive #2: Ontario Home Renovation Savings Program — Battery Storage
Pairing a battery storage system with your new solar installation unlocks an additional rebate through the same HRS Program — a meaningful bonus that’s worth planning for from the start.
- Additional rebate: Up to $5,000 for a battery storage system paired with a new solar installation
- Key requirement: Battery must be sized to store energy produced by your solar system, not to charge from the grid
- How to apply: Same pre-approval process as the solar rebate — apply before any work begins
- Total potential: Combined maximum with solar rebate: $10,000 total
Important: The same net metering restriction applies. Battery storage through HRS is designed for load displacement (powering your home), not for feeding excess power back to the grid.
Learn more: Home Renovation Savings — Solar & Battery
Solar Incentive #3: Net Metering
Net metering is not a rebate — it’s an ongoing financial benefit that reduces your hydro bill every month. When your solar panels produce more electricity than your home needs, the surplus flows back to the grid and you receive a credit on your bill at a minimum 1:1 kilowatt-hour rate.
- Who qualifies: Available through all major local distribution companies: Toronto Hydro, Alectra, Hydro One, and others
- How it works: A minimum 1:1 kWh credit for every unit of electricity you export to the grid
- Credit expiry: Unused credits expire after 12 months
- New for 2026: The OEB residential inverter cap is increasing from 10 kW to 12 kW AC effective May 1, 2026, allowing larger systems
HRS Rebate vs. Net Metering — Which is right for you?
This is one of the most important decisions Ontario homeowners face in 2026. You cannot do both. As a general guide:
- Choose HRS if your system is smaller or you want upfront cash back and a simpler setup
- Choose net metering if your system produces significantly more than your home uses, or if you plan to install a larger system
Solar Direct Canada can walk you through the numbers for your specific home and help you determine which path delivers better long-term value.
Solar Incentive #4: Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) — Toronto
Toronto residents can take advantage of the Home Energy Loan Program (HELP), which provides low-interest financing for rooftop solar and other energy upgrades. This is a Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) loan, meaning it’s attached to your property, not to you personally.
- Maximum loan: Up to $125,000 in financing for rooftop solar and other eligible energy upgrades
- Repayment: Repaid through your property tax bill in manageable annual payments
- If you sell: If you sell your home, the loan transfers to the new owner — no penalty or lump sum required
- Eligibility: Toronto homeowners only, but similar programs in Hamilton, Kingston, London, Ottawa and Dufferin County. Check with your local municipality to see if they are currently offering a similar incentive.
Learn more: Toronto Home Energy Loan Program (HELP)
