Sep. 16, 2025
Canada has long relied on hydropower and fossil fuels, but amidst the "dual carbon goals" and the shift in the international energy mix, photovoltaics has gradually become a key focus.
In the past two years, the Canadian federal government and provinces have continuously introduced incentive policies for residential and building energy efficiency and distributed power generation. Through fiscal subsidies, tax incentives, loan support, and regulatory constraints, they aim to promote the nationwide adoption of BIPV (building-integrated photovoltaic) products. These policies aim to reduce energy costs for residential and commercial users and promote green transformation in the building sector. These policies will not only directly stimulate demand for new energy in the short term, but will also promote product standardization, supply chain expansion, and long-term transformation of urban development.
In February 2024, Natural Resources Canada announced an update to the Canada Greener Homes Initiative, providing long-term support for home energy-efficiency renovations. This update specifically includes residential photovoltaic (solar PV) systems as reimbursable or loanable renovation projects. The initiative entered a new phase in 2024–2025 and will continue to provide grants and interest-free loans for home solar installations.
Grant Amount: Up to $5,000 CAD.
Loan Support: Interest-free loans of up to $40,000 CAD with a term of up to 10 years are available for larger energy-efficiency renovations, including solar system installations.
Eligibility: Projects must pass an energy assessment and meet CSA certification standards.
Scope: Covers residential rooftop and ground-mounted PV systems, as well as solar roof tiles.
Announcing the update, Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, said: "By supporting residential homeowners in adopting green technologies like solar roof tiles, we can not only lower energy costs but also reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to Canada's transition to a low-carbon economy."
British Columbia (BC)
BC Hydro launched a new solar subsidy program in March 2024, offering residential customers up to $10,000 in subsidies for installing eligible solar photovoltaic systems and battery storage systems.
Grant Amount: $1,000 per kilowatt of installed capacity, up to a maximum of $5,000.
Battery Storage System Grant: $500 per kilowatt-hour, up to a maximum of $5,000.
Eligibility: Residential customers, including single-family and multi-family homes. BC Hydro's Power Smart rebate, launched in 2025, offers residential customers a $1,000 per kilowatt (capped at $5,000) rebate on solar installations, along with additional subsidies for home battery storage (e.g., $500 per kWh, capped at $5,000), with higher amounts available for multi-family and commercial buildings.
BC Energy Minister Bruce Ralston said at the press conference: "This program will help British Columbians reduce energy costs while advancing our carbon neutrality goals."
Ontario
Beginning in May 2024, Ontario launched a series of new energy efficiency programs offering incentives for solar systems in residential and commercial buildings.
Save On Energy: Offers rebates of up to $10,000 (5,000 each for solar systems and battery storage systems).
Loan programs: For example, Ottawa's Better Homes program offers interest-free loans of up to $125,000 to support solar and other energy-saving renovations. PACE Program: Toronto's HELP and Hi-RIS programs provide financing support for single-family homes and condominiums, respectively.
Home Renovation Savings Program: Provides rebates of up to 30% for qualifying home energy-saving renovations (including rooftop solar and storage), with future expansion to cover more equipment and renovation types.
Todd Smith, Ontario's Minister of Energy, said, "These incentives will make solar systems more affordable for more Ontarians and businesses, advancing our sustainability goals."
Quebec
Quebec launched the LogisVert program in July 2024, providing subsidies and loans for solar systems in residential and commercial buildings.
Grant Amount: $1,000 per kilowatt of installed capacity, up to 40% of the total installation cost.
Eligible: Residential and commercial buildings. Announcing the program, Quebec Environment Minister Benoit Charette said, "The LogisVert program will help Quebec residents and businesses reduce energy costs while advancing our goal of carbon neutrality."
A Canadian expert, a professor at McGill University's School of Architecture, emphasized that solar roof tiles are more than just energy products; they represent "the nexus of future urban aesthetics and sustainable architecture."
Spurred by policy initiatives, the Canadian solar roof tile market has seen the following new developments:
From 2022 to 2024, new installed capacity of residential rooftop photovoltaics (including solar tiles) in Canada is expected to grow at an average annual rate of over 25%. While traditional photovoltaic panels still offer a lower unit cost than solar tiles, the aesthetic and integrated advantages of solar tiles are driving purchases for high-end residential users who prioritize aesthetics and overall home design. With the support of policy subsidies, user costs are being reduced, particularly in provinces such as Ontario and British Columbia, where user inquiries and installation orders have increased significantly.
With the opening of the subsidy window, rapidly growing orders have exposed bottlenecks in qualified BIPV product certification, installer talent, and production capacity. International manufacturers such as Tesla, CertainTeed, and Gain Solar have increased their presence in the Canadian market. Local companies have also begun developing products tailored to local climate conditions, such as snow- and cold-resistant photovoltaic tiles.
Choosing a solar roof tile manufacturer that demonstrates product compliance (CSA, weatherproof certification, etc.), offers scalable installation services, and provides integrated "rooftop + energy storage + operations and maintenance" solutions is crucial for user decision-making.
With the implementation of subsidies and investment credits, the actual installation cost for end users has dropped by approximately 15–20%. If your province offers rebates (such as Ontario and British Columbia), it is recommended to conduct an EnerGuide energy efficiency assessment during the subsidy window and inquire about the available credits. At the same time, compare the ROI of traditional photovoltaics and solar tiles (paying attention to aesthetic premiums and long-term maintenance).
Canada's recent series of incentives have created unprecedented opportunities for the development of solar roof tiles. From fiscal subsidies to tax breaks, and from national standards to provincial policies, these initiatives are transforming the market and accelerating the adoption of BIPV. In the future, with growing user demand and technological breakthroughs by businesses, Canada will not only achieve leapfrog development in green buildings but also occupy a key position in the international transition to new energy.
