If you are weighing the financial case for a rooftop solar installation, this guide maps the federal, provincial, and municipal funding options available to Canadian homeowners in 2026. It also explains which programs have closed, what replaced them, and where meaningful energy savings support remains available. For more detail, consult government grants and rebates for solar panels in Canada.

Canada solar grants in 2026

Two major programs closed to new applicants, leaving homeowners to navigate provincial rebates, net metering credits, and a new income-targeted initiative still rolling out across Canada.

Is the federal solar program closed?

Many homeowners ask whether they can still receive government grants for solar panels at the federal level. The Canada Greener Homes Grant stopped accepting applications in February 2024, and its final document-submission deadline passed on December 31, 2025.

• Grant closure date: The Canada Greener Homes Grant closed to new applicants in February 2024. No new residential solar applications are accepted.
• Loan closure date: The Canada Greener Homes Loan stopped accepting applications on October 1, 2025. Existing approved borrowers retain their 0% interest terms.
• Loan terms preserved: Approved borrowers keep access to up to CAD $40,000 interest-free, with a repayment period of up to 10 years.
• Documentation retention: Former applicants of either closed program must retain all project records until March 31, 2028, to meet audit requirements.

No nationwide federal residential solar grant or loan replaced the closed Canada Greener Homes Initiative for new applicants entering the market in 2026.

What happened to the $5,000 rebate?

The CAD $5,000 maximum solar rebate was a central feature of the Canada Greener Homes Grant. It was calculated at CAD $1,000 per kilowatt of installed photovoltaic capacity. A household installing a 5 kW system could receive the full CAD $5,000, while an additional CAD $600 covered the required pre- and post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluations, bringing the total household maximum to CAD $5,600. For broader context on residential investment, see the residential solar systems investment guide.

Under the former program, eligible homeowners had to own their principal residence, purchase all equipment, including panels and inverters, from Canadian distributors, and use licensed professionals for every mechanical and electrical installation. Work completed before the mandatory pre-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation was excluded.

Who can apply for affordability support?

The federal Greener Homes Affordability Program, backed by CAD $800 million, is the government’s replacement approach for income-eligible Canadians. It uses a direct-install model, so qualifying households pay nothing out of pocket for approved retrofits, including solar where provincial plans permit it.

Manitoba signed the first co-delivery agreement, while Ontario is rolling out access for low- to moderate-income homeowners through the same framework. The program may cover 100% of solar installation costs.

Find current Canada energy funding

Provincial and municipal programs continue to provide meaningful support. Prince Edward Island’s Solar Electric Rebate pays CAD $0.50 per watt, up to CAD $5,000. Manitoba offers the same rate. Alberta has no provincial rebate, but Edmonton provides CAD $0.40 per watt, up to CAD $4,000; Banff offers CAD $0.75 per watt for systems up to 20 kW; and Canmore provides a flat CAD $1,250 incentive.

The CEIP program in select municipalities offers financing linked to property taxes, reducing the upfront cost of installing rooftop solar. Ontario homeowners above applicable income thresholds can use Toronto’s Home Energy Loan Program at low interest up to CAD $125,000, Ottawa’s Better Homes zero-interest loan up to CAD $40,000, and Guelph’s PACE-style financing for solar and storage.

CMHC also offers a mortgage insurance premium rebate of up to 25% when energy-efficient renovations, including solar, meet a minimum investment of CAD $20,000. The Home Renovation Savings Program does not cover solar, but the clean energy tax credit and accelerated depreciation options described in the commercial solar incentives guide remain active. Businesses can qualify for a 30% tax credit on eligible solar and storage projects and claim 100% first-year depreciation.

Ontario homeowners installing solar panels can access a rebate of CAD $1,000 per kW, up to 50% of the total cost and capped at CAD $5,000, through the provincial program tied to load displacement. Battery storage adds CAD $300 per kWh, also up to CAD $5,000. No home energy assessment is required to apply.

Confirm the current rebate details with your installer now, because this provincial program can cut several years off your system payback period. A certified installer can confirm eligibility and show how the incentive changes the system payback period and long-term energy savings.

Frequently asked questions

Which solar energy grants are still active for Canadian homeowners in 2026?

Federal grants for residential solar panels are closed to new applicants in 2026. Both the grant and the loan program have ended. Active options include Ontario’s provincial rebate program, which offers CAD $1,000 per kW up to CAD $5,000; the PEI Solar Electric Rebate at CAD $0.50 per watt up to CAD $5,000; Manitoba’s matching rebate; and municipal programs in Alberta cities such as Edmonton, Banff, and Canmore.

The Greener Homes Affordability Program is rolling out province by province for income-eligible households. It may cover 100% of solar installation costs with no out-of-pocket expense. Net metering remains the primary energy cost-recovery tool in provinces such as Ontario and Quebec, where no major provincial solar grant exists. Start by checking your provincial rebate eligibility, then compare your municipality’s financing terms to see which combination lowers your upfront cost the most.

What was the CAD $5,000 solar rebate in Canada, and is it still available?

The CAD $5,000 solar rebate was the maximum amount available to a homeowner through the Canada Greener Homes Grant for installing a solar photovoltaic system. It was calculated at CAD $1,000 per kilowatt of installed capacity, so a 5 kW rooftop solar system reached the limit. An additional CAD $600 helped cover the cost of two mandatory EnerGuide evaluations, bringing the total household ceiling to CAD $5,600.

Ontario’s active provincial rebate program follows a similar per-kilowatt structure and remains open to eligible homeowners who own and occupy a home connected to the Ontario electricity grid. Those who previously received the federal grant retain approved amounts, so keeping their documentation until March 31, 2028 protects their ability to claim any remaining benefits without dispute.

What solar incentives are available in Ontario in 2026?

Ontario homeowners have several active financing and rebate options for installing solar panels in 2026. The provincial rebate provides CAD $1,000 per kW of solar capacity, up to 50% of the total project cost, with a maximum of CAD $5,000. A separate battery-storage incentive offers CAD $300 per kWh, up to an additional CAD $5,000.

Participants in this program are not eligible for net metering agreements with their local distribution company because the incentive covers load displacement only. Homeowners who choose net metering can use credits from excess solar power generation to offset energy costs during low-output periods, including winter months and overnight hours.

Municipal programs provide further financing options. Toronto’s Home Energy Loan Program offers low-interest financing up to CAD $125,000, Ottawa’s Better Homes loan provides zero-interest terms up to CAD $40,000, and Guelph offers PACE-style financing for solar and storage. Income-eligible Ontario households may also qualify for no-cost direct installation through the Greener Homes Affordability Program, including solar where the provincial plan permits it.