Incentives Overview | Financing Options | ICI Incentives | Community Initiatives
Solar Water Heater Incentives
More than $1,300 in provincial and federal incentives is available to homeowners that install a solar water heater.
Homes must undergo a residential energy efficiency assessment by a licensed energy auditor to be eligible for grants.
Ontario currently offers $150 toward the cost of a home energy audit. The auditor completes the paperwork to apply for the grants and submits it on behalf of the homeowner.
For installations recommended by the audit, homeowners can receive up to $5,000 in grants from the Province, which match federal grants. In the case of a solar water heater, Ontario offers a grant of $500, which matches the $500 federal grant.
The Province also provides a rebate of the provincial sales tax on qualifying solar (and other renewable) energy systems.
Ontario’s program is based on eligibility for the federal ecoENERGY Retrofit program managed by Natural Resources Canada. To find out more about the ecoENERGY Retrofit program, including incentives, qualified energy auditors, and how to apply, visit the Natural Resources Canada Web site.
To review a list of Frequently Asked Questions about home energy retrofits and incentives, visit the Ministry of Energy Web site.
If you have had an energy audit of your home in the past, through the EnerGuide program or other, you need to have another audit to qualify for this incentive, and all incentives associated with the new ecoENERGY Retrofit program.
Total estimated costs and rebates of over $1,300 are summarized below.
| ESTIMATED COSTS |
| Solar water heating system |
$4,000 - $8,000* |
| HOME ENERGY ASSESSMENT: |
|
| Pre-Retrofit Assessment |
from $300 to $400 |
| Post-Retrofit Assessment (verification) |
approximately $150 |
| Building permit |
varies by municipality |
| REBATES AND GRANTS |
| Ontario Home Energy Assessmenst rebate |
$150 |
| Ontario PST rebate |
varies |
| Ontario grant |
$500 |
| Federal grant |
$500 |
*Estimates are based on average installed cost for 2007/2008 and may vary depending on your system configuration, equipment options and other factors.
How to Get Money Back
To access the available provincial and federal incentives, follow these steps:
- Book a Home Energy Retrofit audit. A list of approved auditors is available at the Natural Resources Canada Web site. The Ontario government will automatically reimburse you for 50% of the cost, up to $150, following your audit.
- Select and install your solar water heater. The Ontario Government has extended the retail sales tax rebate on qualifying solar equipment, saving you approximately $200.
- Complete your verification audit. The auditor completes your application to receive your federal and provincial grants.
For more details, visit the Ontario Ministry of Energy Web site.
Energy and Greenhouse Gas Savings
A typical family of four will also save approximately 2700 kWh or $325 per year by supplementing their electric water heater with a solar water heater. If the solar water heater is supplementing a gas water heater, the savings would be $200 per year.
Annual estimated GHG reductions would be 600 kg if supplementing an electric water heater, or 760 kg if supplementing a gas water heater.
Photovoltaic System Incentives
Sales Tax Rebate
The Ontario Government has extended the rebate on the provincial sales tax for PV systems.
The Ontario Power Authority’s Standard Offer Program
The Ontario Power Authority’s Standard Offer Program offers generators of PV electricity that are connected to Ontario’s distribution system 42 cents per kilowatt hour – more than three times the offered price for other renewable technologies. There are costs and fees associated with connecting your system to the grid. This is more suitable to larger systems. Contact your local electrical distribution company for details.
Net Metering
Residents who install smaller micro-generation PV systems who do not wish to participate in the Standard Offer Program can choose to use the electricity generated for their own consumption. Ontario's net metering regulation allows you to send electricity generated from renewable sources to the electrical grid for a credit toward your energy costs. Your utility will subtract the value of electricity you supply to the grid from the value of what you take from the grid. What you'll see on your bill is the "net" difference between those two amounts. If you supply power that is worth more than what you take from the grid over the billing period, you'll receive a credit that can help lower future energy bills.
For more details, visit the Ontario Ministry of Energy Web site.
Proposed Feed-in Tariff (FIT) Program
On February 23, 2009 the Green Energy Act, 2009 (GEA) was introduced to the Ontario Legislature. It includes a proposal for a new renewable energy program known as a Feed-in Tariff (FIT) Program designed to further encourage the development of renewable energy supply - including solar PV. Visit the Ontario Power Authority's website for more details: www.powerauthority.on.ca/fit/
Toronto SOLAR NEIGHBOURHOODS Incentive
This municipal matching rebate/zero interest financing incentive is available to qualifying homeowners in Ward 30, Toronto's south riverdale neighbourhood for a limited time only.
If you purchase your solar thermal system outright, Solar Neighbourhoods will match the $1,000 incentive available from the federal and provincial governments for a total incentive of $2,000. If you prefer to pay over time, Solar Neighbourhoods will provide zero interest financing and a $500 incentive. You still receive the federal and provincial payments for a total incentive of $1,500 plus no cost financing.
For more information: www.solarneighbourhoods.ca |
