Ontario Solar & Battery Rebate 2026: Complete Guide
Ontario's Home Renovation Savings program now pays up to $10,000 toward rooftop solar and battery storage. Here is exactly how much you get, who qualifies, the one rule that catches people out, and the order to do things so you don't lose the rebate.
Home Renovation Savings — solar & battery
Up to $10,000
$5,000 solar + $5,000 battery · up to 50% of cost
How much the rebate pays
The rebate has two parts, each capped, and each limited to 50% of what you spend:
Solar panels (rooftop PV)
$1,000 / kW · max $5,000
Example: a 6 kW system earns 6 × $1,000 = $6,000, but the cap holds it at $5,000 (and never more than 50% of the solar cost).
Battery storage
$300 / kWh · max $5,000
Example: a 10 kWh battery earns 10 × $300 = $3,000. Battery only qualifies when paired with solar — it is not eligible on its own.
The two parts combine to a household maximum of $10,000, still limited to 50% of the combined cost. Want your own numbers? Use the cost calculator.
The rule that catches people out
You cannot combine this rebate with net metering. The HRS solar path is for load displacement — using your own power on-site, not exporting to the grid. If you want the 1:1 export credit of net metering instead, you forgo the rebate. We compare both paths in the rebate vs. net metering guide.
Who qualifies
- ✓You own the home and are 18 or older
- ✓The property is a single detached, semi-detached, row house, townhome, or mobile home on a permanent foundation, in Ontario
- ✓The home is connected to Ontario’s electricity grid — Cornwall Electric customers are not eligible, as that area is served by the Hydro-Québec grid
- ✓If the home has tenants, the homeowner applies — and the homeowner must pay for the installation
- ✓A participating contractor submits the pre-installation form, and nothing is purchased or installed before written pre-approval
- ✓Your local utility (LDC — e.g. Toronto Hydro, Alectra, Hydro One) approves the connection
- ✓The system is designed for load displacement (no net-metering export agreement)
The #1 way people lose this rebate
Do not purchase or install any equipment until you have written pre-approval from the Home Renovation Savings team and your local distribution company (LDC). The program is explicit about this: equipment bought or work started before written pre-approval is not eligible. Quotes first, paperwork second, purchases only after approval.
The process, in order
Get a quote
A participating installer assesses your roof, sizing, and whether battery makes sense. No purchases yet.
Pre-installation form
The installer submits the HRS pre-installation form on your behalf.
Written pre-approval
The Home Renovation Savings team and your LDC (e.g. Toronto Hydro, Alectra, Hydro One) both approve in writing. Only now can equipment be purchased.
Purchase & installation
Equipment is ordered, installed, and inspected.
Submission
The installer submits the final documentation and the rebate is processed.
Deadline
The program is confirmed through November 30, 2026, but its terms allow it to close earlier at any time. See the deadline timeline for the real last date to start.
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Common questions
How much is the Ontario solar rebate in 2026?
Through the Home Renovation Savings program you can get $1,000 per kW of solar (max $5,000) plus $300 per kWh of battery storage (max $5,000), for a combined household maximum of $10,000 — covering up to 50% of the project cost.
Can I get the HRS rebate and net metering?
No — they are mutually exclusive. The HRS solar path is designed for load displacement (using your own power on-site), so a system on this path cannot have a net-metering agreement that exports to the grid. You choose one path.
Is battery storage eligible on its own?
No. Battery storage only qualifies for the $300/kWh rebate when installed together with a new qualifying solar system. Battery-only projects — including adding a battery to panels you already have — are not eligible.
Can I buy the equipment before approval comes through?
No. The program requires written pre-approval from the Home Renovation Savings team and your local distribution company before any equipment is purchased or installed. Buying early, even if installation happens later, makes the project ineligible.
When does the program end?
The program is confirmed through November 30, 2026. Program terms allow it to be modified or closed at any time, and past Ontario programs (Greener Homes Grant, GreenON) closed earlier than expected — so starting sooner protects your spot.
Who is eligible?
Homeowners 18+ in Ontario whose property is a single detached, semi-detached, row house, townhome, or mobile home on a permanent foundation. The installer submits a pre-installation form, and your local utility (LDC) must approve the connection.
Does the rebate cover the whole system?
No. The rebate covers up to 50% of the combined cost, capped at $10,000. A typical residential system costs more than that, so you pay the balance.
What system size do I need to max out the solar rebate?
At $1,000/kW capped at $5,000, a system of 5 kW or larger reaches the solar maximum (subject to the 50%-of-cost limit). Battery is separate, up to another $5,000.
How do I apply?
A participating contractor submits the pre-installation form, then you wait for written pre-approval from the Home Renovation Savings team and your LDC. Only after that is equipment purchased and installed; the installer then submits final documentation. Purchasing or starting work before pre-approval forfeits the rebate.
More on solar
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See lead pricing →Independent homeowner tool. Not affiliated with the Government of Ontario. Program figures reflect the Home Renovation Savings solar & battery stream. Sources: homerenovationsavings.ca, saveonenergy.ca. Verified June 2026. The official program warns about copycat "rebate offer" websites — always verify details against the official site and its scam advisory.