With the increasing demand for solar energy, the governments of various countries have launched schemes, incentives, and related programs that have made panels more affordable. In this article, we will look at the solar panel rebates in BC that are responsible for popularizing PV systems there.
Solar Panel Rebates in BC
You can benefit from the Canada Greener Homes Grant and also consider incentives like net metering and PST exemption.
For more details, let’s look at a couple of rebates and grants that are available to people living in British Columbia.
1. Canada Greener Home Grants
To make the lives of BC residents efficient the government came up with the Canada Greener Home Grant. Under this grant, a person may be eligible to get up to 5,000 dollars. These funds can be used to upgrade your primary residence. You need to make it more energy efficient by installing an on-grid solar panel on the ground or roof of your home. You may further be eligible for another 1,000 dollars for an energy storage device such as a battery.
2. Solar Tax Rebate for Businesses
There is only one solar energy incentive available to businesses and it is the enhanced depreciation under the Capital Cost Allowance scheme. Under this incentive, a business can deduct 100% of its total assets in the first year of purchase.
Other benefits that you can avail of in BC are getting interest-free loans from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation or you can also qualify for getting a portion of your HST or GST back.
If you are worried about the growth of solar energy in BC, check out if solar panels are worth it or not.
BC Government Energy Rebates
There are various government energy rebates that the people of British Columbia are offered and benefit from.
1. Vancouver Heritage Energy Retrofit Grant
The Vancouver Heritage Foundation is a nonprofit organization that is offering rebates of up to 14,000 dollars for various purposes. If you are looking to make your house energy efficient, upgrade your home that was built before 1940, or are registered with Vancouver Heritage Register, then you are eligible for this grant.
2. Energy Conservation Assistance Program
FortisBC, BC Hydro, and municipal utilities offer free installation of certain products as well as coach you as to how you can save energy at home.
3. Better Homes and Home Renovation Rebate Program
Clean BC along with BC Hydro and FortisBC offers dozens of energy efficiency rebates. A wide range of products and services qualify for this rebate such as heat pumps, heating and water equipment, and more. Under the municipalities rebate top-up program, 13 municipalities are offering rebate top-ups. The latter can be combined with the better homes and home renovation rebate program.
4. Kamloops See The Heat Program
The residents of Kamploos are allowed by the City of Kamploos to loan a thermal imaging camera that too free of charge. With that, they are also allowed to get the free draft-proofing kit for electric switches, doors, and windows.
5. RDN Graded Site-Cut Timber Program
In Lantzville, the district of Nanaimo is offering an incentive for renovated projects or home construction. That uses graded timber located on the site for structural use.
If you are someone who is about to make this eco-friendly switch and install solar panels, take a look at Solar Farm Requirements.
Incentives for Solar Power Systems in B.C.
There are also incentives attached to solar power systems in British Columbia and a few of them are:
1. PST Exemption
You can get a PST exemption not only for solar PV equipment and devices but also for panels, wiring, controllers, and inverters.
2. Net Metering
There is a good chance that your solar panel may produce more energy than required. This energy can be sold back to the grid and the amount from the same can be used against your current and future billing cycles.
3. Renewable Energy System Incentive
If you own a home in RDN electoral areas or the district of Lantzville then you can upgrade energy-efficient technology in your home. By installing a PV system, you become eligible for a 250-dollar incentive. Also from 1st April 2015, a rebate of 400 dollars is available for renewable energy systems which require and obtain a development variance permit.
Note: The incentive programs and rebates are subject to change. For updated information, contact your solar installer.
So, we have covered the solar incentive and rebate programs available in BC. The government has introduced these schemes to convince the citizens to install solar panels. For more such informative content, keep reading our blog posts.
Recommended: Solar Incentives and Rebates in Canada