Solar and Battery Incentives for Ottawa Homeowners
Three programs can take a serious bite out of the cost of solar and battery storage in Ottawa. Here is what each one pays, who qualifies, and how they stack together.
See what you qualify forOntario Home Renovation Savings Program (HRSP)
The HRSP is Ontario's rebate program for home energy upgrades, delivered through Save on Energy. For solar and battery storage it pays a straight cash rebate based on the size of your system.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Solar panels | $1,000 per kW DC, up to $5,000 |
| Battery storage | $300 per kWh, up to $5,000 |
| Combined maximum | $10,000 per home |
- The rebate applies to load displacement systems, meaning your solar and battery power your home first and do not export to the grid.
- Net metering systems are not eligible for the HRSP. If you want to sell power back to the grid, that is a different path with no rebate.
- Ground-mounted solar systems are not eligible for the solar or battery rebate.
- Rebates are typically paid about 12 weeks after your system is activated.
- We handle the HRSP application paperwork as part of your project.
Hydro Ottawa GridFlex
GridFlex is Hydro Ottawa's virtual power plant program, funded by Natural Resources Canada and offered in select areas of Kanata and Stittsville. As of November 1, 2026, it pays a rebate toward new Tesla Powerwall installations, on top of the annual rewards for taking part in grid events.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| New Powerwall installation | Up to $5,000, calculated at $300 per kWh |
| Existing battery enrollment | $500 one-time |
| Annual participation reward | $250 per year |
| Combined with HRSP | Up to $15,000 in total rebates |
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| New Powerwall with new solar | Up to $15,000 (GridFlex + HRSP) |
| New Powerwall with no solar | Up to $5,000 (GridFlex) |
| New Powerwall with existing solar (net metered) | Up to $5,000 (GridFlex) |
| New Powerwall with existing solar (load displacement) | Up to $5,000 (GridFlex) |
| Adding to an existing Powerwall system | $0 |
- Your home must be in a participating area of Kanata or Stittsville. Hydro Ottawa has a postal code checker on its GridFlex page.
- Grid events are short and optional, usually on hot summer weekdays between June 1 and September 30, with at least 24 hours notice.
- You enroll yourself online. Owning an eligible battery does not enroll you automatically.
- True Beacon is a Tesla Certified installer in Ottawa and an HRSP-approved contractor.
Better Homes Ottawa Loan Program
The Better Homes Ottawa Loan Program is a City of Ottawa program, delivered by EnviroCentre, that lends money for home energy improvements at a low fixed rate. The loan is tied to the property, not to you, and is repaid through your property tax bill.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Loan term | 20 years |
| Interest rate | 4.33% fixed for the full term |
| Minimum loan | $10,000 |
| Maximum loan | $125,000 or 10% of your home's assessed value, whichever is less |
| Administrative charge | 4% of the total loan value |
- Solar panels, battery storage, EV chargers, heat pumps, insulation and other energy upgrades are all eligible measures.
- Repayment is added to your property tax bill, and the loan can be paid off early at any time with no penalty.
- Because the loan is tied to the property, it can transfer to the next owner if you sell.
- Your property taxes, utility bills and other City of Ottawa payments must be in good standing for the past five years.
- Detached, semi-detached, townhouses and residential multi-unit buildings of three storeys or less are eligible.
How the programs stack
- A new solar plus Powerwall system in an eligible Kanata or Stittsville neighbourhood can stack the HRSP ($10,000) with GridFlex ($5,000) for up to $15,000 in rebates.
- The Better Homes Ottawa loan can finance the remaining cost at 4.33% fixed over 20 years, so the project can cash-flow from day one.
- Outside Kanata and Stittsville, the HRSP and the Better Homes Ottawa loan still apply to most Ottawa homes.
Common questions
Can I get the HRSP rebate and still net meter?
No. The HRSP only applies to load displacement systems that do not export power to the grid. Net metering systems are not eligible. We model both paths in your proposal so you can see which one comes out ahead.
How much can I get in total rebates?
Up to $10,000 from the HRSP for solar plus battery, and up to another $5,000 from Hydro Ottawa GridFlex if your home is in an eligible Kanata or Stittsville area, for a combined maximum of $15,000.
Do I apply for these programs myself?
We handle the HRSP application as part of your project. GridFlex enrollment is done by you online after your battery is installed. The Better Homes Ottawa loan is applied for directly with the City of Ottawa program.
Can I use the Better Homes Ottawa loan and the rebates together?
Yes. The loan covers the cost of the work, and the rebates reduce what you effectively pay. The loan is repaid through your property tax bill over up to 20 years.
Are ground-mounted solar systems eligible?
No. Ground-mounted systems are not eligible for the HRSP solar or battery rebate. They can still be financed through the Better Homes Ottawa loan.
What if I already have solar?
A new Powerwall added to an existing solar system qualifies for up to $5,000 from GridFlex in eligible areas, and battery storage on a load displacement system can qualify for the HRSP battery rebate of $300 per kWh up to $5,000.
Find out what your home qualifies for
Send us your address and a recent hydro bill. We will model your system, apply every rebate you qualify for, and show you the numbers before you commit to anything.
Get a quoteProgram details are from Save on Energy, Hydro Ottawa and the City of Ottawa as of November 2026 and can change. Rebate amounts are set by the programs, not by True Beacon.