British Columbia · population 662,000
Solar in Vancouver
BC Hydro serves Vancouver. Rainy winters mean low output from November to February, and BC Hydro's rates are among the lowest in Canada, so payback is longer than in most provinces. Summers are dry and sunny, which is when most of the year's output comes in.
- Sample system
- 15.5 kW
- 36 panels, $180/month bill
- Year-1 savings
- $1,808
- Pays back in
- 18.9 years
- Not recommended
- NRCan solar potential
- 1,009 kWh
- per kW a year, ideal south array
Month by month
What a 15.5 kW system makes in Vancouver
14,928 kWh a year, kWh per month. Summer covers far more than you use; winter covers little.
Your utility: BC Hydro
BC Hydro self-generation: exports credited at 10¢ per kWh. Power you send to the grid earns a credit per kWh, usually worth less than what you pay to buy power, so using solar as it’s made is worth more.
BC Hydro rates and solarWhat it costs
At $2.60–$3.27 per watt installed, the sample 15.5 kW system runs about $40,248–$50,620 before rebates. Source
Programs
Rebates and loans for Vancouver homes
Programs change often. See all incentives and what’s changed.
Questions
Solar in Vancouver: FAQ
- Is solar worth it in Vancouver?
- For our sample Vancouver home with a $180 monthly bill, solar rates as "not recommended": about $1,808 saved in the first year and a payback of 18.9 years. Your roof, shade and usage decide the real answer.
- How much do solar panels cost in Vancouver?
- Installed prices in British Columbia typically run $2.60 to $3.27 per watt, so a 15.5 kW system is roughly $40,248 to $50,620 before rebates.
- How much electricity do solar panels make in Vancouver?
- In our model, each kW of well-placed panels makes about 964 kWh a year here. Natural Resources Canada puts Vancouver’s potential at about 1,009 kWh per kW for an ideal south-facing array. Output in December is a fraction of June’s.
- Does BC Hydro credit solar power I send to the grid?
- BC Hydro self-generation: exports credited at 10¢ per kWh. Power you send to the grid earns a credit per kWh, usually worth less than what you pay to buy power, so using solar as it’s made is worth more.
- Are there solar rebates or loans in Vancouver?
- There’s no city program we can confirm, but British Columbia homes may qualify for: BC Hydro solar rebate, BC Hydro battery rebate. Check current status before you sign.
Savings use the SolarMyBill model for a sample home with a $180 monthly bill on BC Hydro’s default plan, sized for best payback. Solar potential: Natural Resources Canada.