Home Efficiency Tools
Solar Panel ROI Calculator Canada — Payback & 25-Year Savings
Calculate the payback period and 25-year ROI for a home solar system in Canada. Includes Canada Greener Homes Grant, net metering, and provincial sun hours.
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Common questions
Is solar power worth it in Canada?
Yes, particularly in provinces with high electricity rates or strong sun. Ontario, Alberta, Nova Scotia, and Saskatchewan have strong solar economics. Quebec has excellent sun but very low electricity rates, making paybacks longer. BC has moderate sun and moderate rates. The Canada Greener Homes Grant (up to $5,000) and net metering programs improve the economics in most provinces.
What is net metering in Canada?
Net metering lets solar homeowners feed excess electricity back to the grid and receive a credit on their bill. Most Canadian provinces have net metering programs, though credit rates and rules vary. Ontario credits at the retail rate; BC at a set generation rate; Alberta through competitive offers. Without net metering, excess generation has much lower value — typically half the retail rate or less.
How many solar panels does a Canadian home need?
The average Canadian home uses 9,000–11,000 kWh/year. A typical 400W panel in Ontario generates about 500–550 kWh/year, so 16–22 panels (6.4–8.8 kW system) would cover most consumption. In sunnier provinces like Alberta or Saskatchewan, fewer panels are needed. This calculator lets you enter your system size directly and estimates output based on provincial sun hours.
What does a solar panel system cost in Canada?
Installed solar systems in Canada typically cost $2,000–$3,500 per kilowatt, including panels, inverter, racking, and installation. An 8 kW system costs roughly $16,000–$28,000 before incentives. After the Canada Greener Homes Grant ($5,000 max), net cost drops to $11,000–$23,000. Some provinces have additional incentives that reduce this further.