Solar in Canada is a provincial story

Ontario

Some of the lowest installation prices in Canada

• Net metering through your local distribution company (LDC) credits the electricity you export, with unused credits typically carried forward for up to 12 months.
• Install prices are among the country's lowest, often $2.40–$3.05 per watt, which shortens payback.
• Electricity rates follow time-of-use or tiered pricing; offsetting peak usage improves the case.

British Columbia

Cheap, clean hydro power means a longer payback

• Net metering is available through BC Hydro and FortisBC, with annual settlement and credit at the retail rate.
• Low electricity rates from abundant hydro mean each kWh you offset is worth less, so payback runs longer than in higher-rate provinces.
• Many BC owners go solar for resilience, EV charging, and home value as much as for the bill.

Alberta

High sun, deregulated rates, wide-swinging math

• Micro-generation regulation lets you export surplus power for a credit; some competitive retailers offer higher summer export rates.
• Deregulated electricity prices are volatile, which can make payback look very different from one year to the next.
• Alberta gets excellent sun — among the best solar yield in the country.

A dedicated Alberta guide is in our editorial queue. The summary above reflects current rules.

Quebec

The lowest rates in Canada stretch payback the furthest

• Hydro-Québec net metering credits surplus generation in kWh, valid for up to 24 months.
• Very low electricity rates make solar's bill savings modest, so the case often rests on backup, EV charging, and environmental goals.
• Solar still adds resilience during outages when paired with storage.

A dedicated Quebec guide is in our editorial queue. The summary above reflects current rules.

Saskatchewan

The Prairies' strongest combination of sun and rates

• Net metering with SaskPower credits exported energy; check the current program terms and any size caps.
• The highest solar yield in Canada combines with relatively high electricity rates to make a solid case.
• Confirm whether any provincial rebate is active before you budget — these have opened and closed in recent years.

A dedicated Saskatchewan guide is in our editorial queue. The summary above reflects current rules.

Atlantic Canada

Rising power prices are shifting the numbers

• Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, and Newfoundland & Labrador each run their own net-metering rules and, at times, rebate programs.
• Climbing electricity rates across the region are steadily improving solar payback.
• PEI and Nova Scotia have offered some of the more generous provincial incentives historically — verify what is open now.

A dedicated Atlantic Canada guide is in our editorial queue. The summary above reflects current rules.