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The definitive BC guide · 2026

BC solar & battery rebates, PST, and Rate Schedule 2289 — explained.

Everything a Metro Vancouver homeowner or business needs to know about the money on the table in 2026 — what’s real, what changed, and how to capture it. Written plainly, sourced from official pages, and kept current.

Reviewed: July 2026 · Verify time‑sensitive figures against the official sources linked below before you rely on them.

The BC Hydro $10,000 residential solar + battery rebate

BC Hydro’s residential Solar and Battery program pays two stacked rebates:

$5k

Solar rebate — $1,000 per kW installed

Up to a $5,000 maximum, capped at 50% of eligible product cost.

$5k

Battery rebate — $500 per kWh installed

Up to $5,000 when you enrol in BC Hydro’s Peak Saver program — otherwise capped at $1,500. Also 50% of cost. The battery must be paired with solar.

Stacked, that’s a residential maximum of up to $10,000 — but only if the battery half is enrolled in Peak Saver. Without Peak Saver, the realistic combined maximum is closer to $6,500.

Read this before you buy: the rules that trip people up —
  • Pre‑approval is mandatory — apply and get approved before purchasing or installing, or you can forfeit the rebate.
  • HPCN installer required (since June 1, 2026) — the install must be done by a Home Performance Contractor Network member.
  • Owner‑occupied home, on a BC Hydro residential account; the battery must be paired with solar (battery‑only qualifies only via Peak Saver).
  • Peak Saver enrollment within 14 days of your system going in‑service, to unlock the higher battery rebate.
  • Note: Tesla battery models are currently excluded from the rebate — equipment choice matters.

We manage all of this — pre‑approval, Peak Saver, equipment eligibility — as part of every project. BC Hydro residential program page →

Commercial: up to $20,000 (and why MURBs are different)

For business accounts, BC Hydro’s rebates roughly double: $1,000/kW solar up to $10,000, plus $500/kWh battery up to $10,000 — a $20,000 combined maximum, each capped at 50% of cost, with the same HPCN‑installer requirement. BC Hydro business program →

Strata & multi‑unit (MURB) note: multi‑unit residential buildings are not eligible under the $20,000 business rebate. BC Hydro runs separate offers for stratas, multi‑unit residential, and social/affordable housing. If you’re on a strata council, we’ll map the right program to your building — see our Strata & MURB page.

0% PST on qualifying solar equipment (Bulletin PST 203)

British Columbia exempts solar photovoltaic equipment from the 7% Provincial Sales Tax under PST Bulletin 203 (“Energy, Energy Conservation and the ICE Fund Tax”). The exemption covers solar PV panels, and the wiring, controllers, and inverters obtained as part of the same system. Installation labour on exempt equipment is also not PST‑taxable.

Important nuance: batteries do not qualify for the solar PST exemption — BC treats them as generic goods, so battery storage is taxed at 7%. So the honest headline is “0% PST on your solar equipment,” not “on your whole system.” Read Bulletin PST 203 →

Federal incentives — and what’s no longer available

Businesses only can claim the federal Clean Technology Investment Tax Credit — up to 30% of eligible clean‑energy equipment (available for property in service through Dec 31, 2033, then 15% in 2034). Eligible businesses can also use immediate expensing (100% first‑year write‑off) on Class 43.1/43.2 equipment acquired from 2025 and available for use before 2030 (phasing out 2030–2033). These are for taxable Canadian corporations — not individual homeowners. CRA — Clean Technology ITC →

The Canada Greener Homes Loan is closed. Its funding is fully committed and it is not accepting new applicants. Don’t count on it. Income‑qualified households may instead be eligible under the separate Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program (no‑cost retrofits for lower‑ to median‑income homes). NRCan — program status →

Rate Schedule 2289 — and why we design battery‑first

On July 1, 2026, BC Hydro closed legacy net metering (Rate Schedule 1289) to new customers and introduced Rate Schedule 2289, a self‑generation rate. Under RS 2289, the power you export to the grid is purchased at about 10¢/kWh, credited each billing cycle — replacing the old annual kWh “bank.”

Because you buy electricity back at a higher residential rate than the ~10¢ you’re paid to export, the smart design is self‑consumption: size the array to your usage and add a battery so you use your own solar instead of selling it cheaply. That’s why our proposals are battery‑first — it protects your return and gives you outage backup. BC Hydro — self‑generation rate →

The order that maximizes your money

1 · Design for self‑consumption

Size solar + battery to your real usage (not to export), so more of every kWh is used at home.

2 · Pre‑approve before you buy

Secure BC Hydro rebate pre‑approval and confirm equipment eligibility (avoiding excluded models).

3 · Install with an HPCN electrician

TSBC permit, install, and BC Hydro interconnection by a certified Red Seal electrician.

4 · Enrol & claim

Enrol the battery in Peak Saver within 14 days, then submit for the full stacked rebate.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the BC Hydro solar and battery rebate in 2026?
Residential: $1,000/kW solar (up to $5,000) plus $500/kWh battery (up to $5,000 with Peak Saver, or $1,500 without) — up to about $10,000 total, each capped at 50% of cost. Business: up to $10,000 solar + $10,000 battery ($20,000 total).
Is solar equipment really PST‑exempt in BC?
Yes — solar PV panels, wiring, controllers, and inverters obtained as one system are exempt from BC’s 7% PST under Bulletin PST 203. Batteries are not exempt and are taxed at 7%.
Can I still get the Canada Greener Homes Loan?
No. It’s closed to new applicants (funding fully committed). Income‑qualified households may be eligible under the Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program instead.
What is Rate Schedule 2289?
BC Hydro’s self‑generation rate (effective July 1, 2026) that replaced net metering for new customers. Exports are credited at ~10¢/kWh each billing cycle, which is why storing and self‑consuming your solar usually beats exporting it.
Do I need a special installer to qualify?
Yes — since June 1, 2026, the install must be by an HPCN (Home Performance Contractor Network) member. Our Red Seal electrical partners hold HPCN standing and the TSBC permitting authority.
Do I have to apply before buying equipment?
Yes. BC Hydro requires pre‑approval before purchase/installation; buying first can forfeit the rebate. We handle pre‑approval for you.
Does the 30% federal tax credit apply to my house?
No — the 30% Clean Technology ITC and the 100% first‑year write‑off are for taxable Canadian corporations/businesses, not individual homeowners.
Are off‑grid systems eligible for these rebates?
No. BC Hydro rebates and Rate Schedule 2289 require a grid connection and a BC Hydro account. Off‑grid systems trade rebates for full energy independence; the solar‑equipment PST exemption still applies.
Accuracy & disclaimer: figures are current as of July 2026 and are provided for general information — they are not tax, legal, or financial advice, and do not confirm your eligibility. Programs change; verify against the official BC Hydro, Government of BC, CRA, and NRCan sources linked above. Rebate and savings claims on this site are based on published program terms; your project’s outcome is confirmed through pre‑approval and an engineered design. This page is reviewed periodically by a qualified member of our team.

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