Households

Up to $3,375 is available towards the cost of residential solar hot water systems. We make it easy, just follow our simple 5 step process.

Step 1: Assess Your Eligibility

Happy family

There are some simple ways for you to find out if your home is suitable for solar hot water. Before you start, make sure you check:

  • Your home has at least 6 square metres of south-facing roof space.
  • There is no shade or limited shade from 10am to 4pm on the south-facing part of the roof.
  • You own the property, or if you are a tenant, you have obtained the owner's permission.
  • You understand what permits you need.

To help you understand the solar potential of your home, SolarBC has teamed up with Green Power Labs to provide FREE solar assessments for BC homeowners, available at www.solarrating.ca. This online SolarRating tool is a fun, interactive way to find out how suitable your home is for solar hot water. When you enter your address/postal code you will see a message at the top of the screen to let you know the report is provided free by SolarBC. SolarRating OnLine gives each home a color-coded rating and is the first step in understanding how solar technology might be used to reduce your family's energy costs.

Step 2: Understand the Incentives and Costs Available

The average cost for an installed solar hot water system under the program is approximately $6,900. This average price includes smaller systems for 2/3 person households and larger, more expensive systems for households of 4 or more people. Individual costs will vary depending on which installer and system you use, how many people live in your home and the size of your system. There may also be additional costs associated with travel to more remote areas of the province. Please ensure you obtain quotes from at least 3 registered SolarBC installers servicing your area.

SolarBC contractors will provide you with a $1,000 discount at the point of sale of your solar hot water system. For systems installed in February and March 2010, we are also providing an additional $1,000 discount. Or, rather than the full $2,000 from SolarBC, you can apply for our Zero Interest Loan and receive a smaller discount from us. We'll also help you take advantage of a further $1375 in incentives available from the Federal ecoEnergy Retrofit and the Provincial LiveSmart BC programs.

For detailed information on typical costs and all the incentives available to you visit our Incentives and Costs page.

Step 3: Get Started With An Energy Evaluation

In order to take advantage of the $1250 ecoENERGY retrofit grant available now without restriction, you will need to have an energy evaluation done before April 1, 2010. LivesmartBC program currently provide $150 subsidy towards the cost of the energy evaluation which is automatically applied. After your solar hot water install is complete, you need to complete a second energy assessment. Your ecoENERGY advisor will fill out the paperwork for you to receive your $1250 EcoENERGY retrofit rebate. If you had an assessment done prior to August 15, 2009, you will also receive $125 rebate from LivesmartBC.

The ecoENERGY evaluation service includes:

  • A detailed energy evaluation of your home including a blower door test;
  • A printed report that shows what you can do to improve your home's energy efficiency; and
  • A rating label that shows you the energy efficiency of your home.

Click here to find a licensed energy advisor.

Step 4: Choose a SolarBC Registered Installer


SolarBC incentives are only available for systems installed by our registered SolarBC installers. The installer will walk you through the steps of the installation and will provide you with the $2000 incentive off the cost of your system, up front. Read more about how to find the right installer for your job on our Choosing A Registered Installer page.

All registered SolarBC installers have been pre-qualified by us to ensure their suitability for the program. Installers are assessed for technical capability, experience and proven track record, capacity (including other commitments), quality assurance (including risk management), health and safety, customer care and support, environmental policies and price. Each installer must have at least one installer on staff who is certified to install solar hot water by the Canadian Solar Industry Association.
Click here to find a SolarBC Registered Installer in your area.

Step 5: After Care

  • Your protection as a solar hot water customer is backed with leading industry warranties.
  • Please complete our customer survey
  • If selected, please allow access for a technical quality-control inspection.
  • Send us your story and photo’s to feature on our website to share with others who are interested in the program. Have a look through our photo gallery to see pictures of homeowners and their installs, local government, schools and first nations installs as well as SolarBC events around the province.

Further Reading

  • For an comprehensive introduction to solar hot water heating systems click here.
  • For a detailed buyers guide to solar hot water heating systems click here.
  • Read more on the available grants and incentives on our incentives and costs page.
  • Read the Case Studies we've conducted on homeowners who have installed solar hot water systems and find out about their experiences first hand.