Are solar panels worth it in Ontario?
Yes, on a roof or a patch of land that gets sun most of the day. NRCan data shows an Ottawa system at latitude tilt produces about 1,200 kWh per kW each year. A 7 kW array can cover the typical Ontario home’s annual consumption (OEB).
Net metering and the Home Renovation Savings rebate shorten the payback period; The Atmospheric Fund notes that net metering roughly halves the time to recover your investment.
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What factors make solar worth it in Ontario?
Solar makes sense when a few conditions line up. You need a roof or open ground with minimal shading throughout the day. Using more of your electricity during daylight hours helps you offset the highest rates, like the ULO on-peak rate of 37.7 cents/kWh (OEB, November 2026). KAJK’s free assessment checks all these factors on your property.
How much electricity will the panels produce?
NRCan publishes annual photovoltaic potential for Canadian cities. For Ottawa:
- Latitude tilt (about 45°): 1,200 kWh per kW per year
- Flat (0°): 977 kWh per kW per year
- July average: 125 kWh per kW
- December average: 62 kWh per kW
Toronto gets 1,163 kWh per kW at latitude tilt. A 7 kW system at a good Ottawa tilt generates roughly 8,400 kWh a year, matching the OEB’s typical annual consumption for an Ontario home.
The Home Renovation Savings rebate (2026)
The province’s Home Renovation Savings program offers:
- Solar panels: $1,000 per kW, up to $5,000
- Battery storage: $300 per kWh, up to $5,000
- The rebate covers 50% of eligible costs.
- Important: A system that receives this rebate cannot participate in net metering. KAJK explains both paths during the free assessment so you can choose the one that works best for your finances.
Net metering in Ontario
Ontario’s net metering regulation (O. Reg. 541/05) lets you send surplus solar electricity to the grid and earn credits valued at the same per-kWh rate as the power you use. Credits cannot pay fixed charges, but they carry forward for 12 months. The Atmospheric Fund (July 10, 2026) found that a 10 kW net-metered system pays back in roughly half the time of a system without net metering.
Better Homes Ottawa Loan
If you prefer low-interest financing, the City of Ottawa’s Better Homes Ottawa Loan offers:
- Up to $125,000 or 10% of your home’s assessed value (minimum $10,000)
- 4.33% fixed interest rate
- 20-year term
- A 4% administrative fee applies, and an EnerGuide home evaluation is required before funding.
How long do solar panels last?
The U.S. Department of Energy sets the expected service life of a solar panel at 25–35 years. NREL data shows median output loss of just 0.5% per year. Snow losses are minimal on pole-mounted panels at 30° or steeper: the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority’s STEP program found annual snow-related losses under 2%.
Why 2026 is a strong year to go solar
OEB’s November 1, 2026 electricity prices:
- Time-of-Use: 9.1¢ to 18.9¢/kWh
- Ultra-Low Overnight on-peak: 37.7¢/kWh
Every kilowatt-hour you produce and use during peak hours replaces power you’d otherwise buy at those rates. With the rebate and loan options available right now, the financial case for solar has solid backing.
KAJK’s steps
KAJK has installed solar across Ottawa since 2016. We’re a CanREA member and handle everything from roof assessment to grid connection. The process:
Consultation
We visit your property and discuss your energy goals.
Design
We create a system tailored to your roof or ground space.
Procurement
We source quality panels, inverters, and mounting hardware.
Construction
Our crew handles installation, wiring, and connection to your local distribution company.
Warranty, operation & maintenance
We stand behind the work and offer ongoing support.
Book your free assessment
Call (613) 869-8254 to book your free assessment.
Our process is simple
If you need solar energy solutions, we'll be there from conception to completion. We have the experience and accreditation to lead the way in all phases of your solar project. Here's what you can expect.
Consultation
From your initial assessment to project management, budgeting, scheduling and acquiring your permits, we handle all major aspects of your project.
Design
We design your solar project to ensure that it meets your needs in the most affordable way possible. We do it all, including system designs to as-built drawings.
Procurement
We acquire the best quality materials for your project at the lowest cost possible, giving you the best value for your dollar.
Construction
Our project manager leads all construction projects to ensure that installation, construction and maintenance projects go smoothly and efficiently.
Warranty, operation & maintenance
Once your system is running, we stay with it: warranty support, operation, maintenance and repairs, including on systems other installers put in.
Questions we get asked
Is solar worth it in Ottawa?
Yes. Ottawa’s annual solar resource (1,200 kWh/kW at latitude tilt, NRCan) is strong enough that a properly sized system can offset a typical home’s entire electricity use. Combined with net metering credits or the Home Renovation Savings rebate, the system can offset a significant portion of electricity costs.
What rebates are available for solar in Ontario in 2026?
The Home Renovation Savings program offers $1,000 per kW for panels (up to $5,000) and $300 per kWh for batteries (up to $5,000), covering half of eligible costs. This rebate cannot be combined with net metering.
Does Ontario still have net metering?
Yes. Ontario’s net metering regulation (O. Reg. 541/05) remains in effect. You earn credits at the same per-kWh rate you pay for electricity, and credits carry forward for 12 months. A net-metered system pays back roughly twice as fast as one without, according to The Atmospheric Fund (2026).
What happens to solar panel output after 25 years?
Panels keep producing. NREL data shows median annual output loss of 0.5%, so after 25 years a panel still delivers about 88% of its original rating. The U.S. Department of Energy gives panels a service life of 25–35 years.
How many solar panels does a typical Ontario home need?
A 7 kW system usually meets the OEB’s typical annual consumption of 8,400 kWh. That works out to roughly 14 to 18 panels at 400 to 500 watts each, depending on the model and available roof or ground space.
Since May 1, 2026, a net-metered system up to 12 kW is classified as micro-embedded generation under the OEB’s Distribution System Code and connects through a simplified service request; larger systems require a Connection Impact Assessment.
Do solar panels produce enough power in an Ontario winter?
Yes, though output is lower than in summer. NRCan data shows Ottawa panels produce about 62 kWh per kW in December, compared with 125 kWh per kW in July. On an annual basis, the system still offsets total consumption because surplus summer credits carry forward under net metering.
Can I add a battery to an existing solar panel system?
Yes, you can add battery storage to existing solar panels. However, the Home Renovation Savings battery rebate ($300 per kWh, up to $5,000) applies only to storage installed together with a new solar system. It does not cover add-ons to panels already in place.
A battery for an existing system can be financed through the Better Homes Ottawa Loan. Ontario’s net metering regulation (O. Reg. 541/05) allows storage paired with solar generation. KAJK supplies and installs lithium battery storage for homes and businesses.
Sources for this page (14), last read 2026-10-24
- Municipality database: photovoltaic potential (kWh/kWp), CSVNatural Resources Canada, read 2026-10-01
- Photovoltaic potential and solar resource maps of CanadaNatural Resources Canada, read 2026-10-01
- Backgrounder: Regulated Price Plan, 2025-10-17Ontario Energy Board, read 2026-10-01
- Electricity rates (prices set for 2026-11-01)Ontario Energy Board, read 2026-10-24
- Solar and Storage Program Stream Requirements, version October 2025Home Renovation Savings (Enbridge Gas and IESO), read 2026-10-10
- Solar and Storage Program Stream Participant Agreement, version October 2025Home Renovation Savings (Enbridge Gas and IESO), read 2026-10-10
- O. Reg. 541/05, Net MeteringGovernment of Ontario (e-Laws), read 2026-10-01
- Notice of Amendments to the Distribution System Code, EB-2019-0207 (2025-12-18)Ontario Energy Board, read 2026-10-10
- Ontario's solar rebate has a hidden catch (2026-07-10)The Atmospheric Fund, read 2026-10-01
- Better Homes Ottawa Loan Program (page dated 2026-09-09)City of Ottawa, read 2026-10-10
- Better Homes Ottawa Loan ProgramBetter Homes Ottawa (City of Ottawa program, EnviroCentre), read 2026-10-10
- End-of-Life Management for Solar PhotovoltaicsU.S. Department of Energy, read 2026-10-01
- Photovoltaic Degradation Rates: An Analytical Review (2013)National Renewable Energy Laboratory (Jordan and Kurtz), read 2026-10-24
- Simple Approach to Estimating PV System Snow Losses Applied to Long-term PV Generation Datasets for Different Tilt Angles and Mounting StylesToronto and Region Conservation Authority (STEP), read 2026-10-10
Contact Ottawa's solar energy experts
Ready to get started? Give us a call or send us a quick message for all your solar and green energy needs. The free assessment looks at your roof or site, your last year of electricity use and what you want the system to do, then comes back with a concept design, costs and the equipment we would use.
Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: closed, visits by appointment