Have you been noticing higher electricity and gas bills? Were you impacted by grid outages during the harsh winter storms? Solar and battery can put you back in control of your energy through savings and backup capability. Ontario has launched a program to lower the cost of solar and battery systems for homeowners. Read on to learn about this program and how you can benefit!

HRSP at a Glance

The Home Renovations Savings Program (HRSP) was launched to help Ontario homeowners invest in energy savings. It is available to any home connected to the Ontario Electrical grid and is not restricted to only primary homes (upgrade your home, cottage and more!). 

‍

Key points 

• Up to $10,000 for solar and battery
• Up to $12,000 for heat pump upgrades
• Various other incentives for efficiency measures (may require an energy audit) 
• Any residence connected to the Ontario electricity grid is eligible 
• No home energy audit needed to apply for the solar, battery and heat pump rebates 
• Systems are required to be roof-mounted and behind-the-meter (more on this below) 

How it Works 

The HRSP requires systems to be roof-mounted and behind-the-meter (BTM). As the name suggests, BTM means that this system does not go beyond the home's meter, out to the grid. It operates independently of the grid, powering your home so that usage doesn’t hit the meter and get charged to your hydro account. Your home is still connected to the grid, but will only draw from it when your demand exceeds the power provided by solar or battery. 

‍

This can lead to significant savings from a well-designed system. Solar will produce during the day when the sun is shining and either offset usage when power is being used or charge the battery for use later. The battery, intelligently managed through the battery management system (BMS), serves as a power source when the grid is down or to offset usage outside of solar hours for more savings. The combination of solar and battery allows you to eliminate being charged when rates are most expensive during on- and mid-peak hours, while the battery can recharge at the lowest rate or from solar. Switching to ultra-low overnight (ULO) electricity rates will further your savings with rates as low as $0.039 currently in Ontario. 

‍

Our team of advisors and engineers can design the best system for your specific usage and home needs. To get a Custom Assessment tailored to your needs Fill Out This Form and our advisor will guide you through solutions and get you on your way to monthly savings! 

Why Apply

This program is perfect if you want to: 

1. Save on your monthly bills
2. Have a backup system during grid outages 
3. Be more energy independent 

System Costs 

The cost for both solar and battery has come down significantly in recent years. Plus, the rebates offered by the HRSP make for meaningful savings over the lifetime of your system. For example, a 5kW solar system with 10kWh of battery added costs between $12,000 and $15,000 (depending on solar and battery components chosen) after rebates. Larger systems like a 10kW solar with 20kWh battery cost between $28,000 to $32,000 after rebates. This makes it much more affordable, resulting in a payback period of 5-7 years, of your original outlay. To get the best results, systems should be sized to a specific home and usage. Our team of advisors and engineers are experts in designing systems to get you the best results. To get their help, Fill Out This Form!

What are the Next Steps? 

At Solr Solvr, we are experts who work with you, like a “clean energy concierge”  to make solar simple and get you the best solutions at the most competitive prices. 

Here are the steps you can take to get our help:  

1. Get a Free Assessment: our team of experts will develop a plan and walk you through the process
2. Connect with Trusted Local Installers: we connect you with vetted installers for competitive quotes
3. Have a Home Energy Assessment: if you are interested in other HRSP efficiency upgrades, you will need an audit from a licensed professional-we can provide suggestions to expedite the process. 

FAQs

‍

What are the requirements to be eligible for the HRSP? 

To get the HRSP rebates, you must be connected to the Ontario electric grid. Systems must be roof-mounted behind-the-meter with batteries. There is no restriction on it being your primary home; cottages and second homes can also get rebates!

‍

What is the difference between net-metering and behind-the-meter?

Net-metering is a program that is still active in Ontario, but homeowners cannot use it and get HRSP rebates. Net-metering uses a bi-directional meter to track the energy used from the grid and sent to the grid. At the end of the month, you would only pay for what solar doesn’t cover. 

Behind-the-meter means the solar and battery can be used independently of the grid (this is helpful for outages)! The system powers your home, and you only get billed if solar and battery don’t cover some usage. The battery allows you to shift usage to take advantage of ultra-low rates, as low as 3 cents. 

How much can I get in rebates for solar and battery backup? 

For solar, the rebates are $1000/kW installed up to 5kW for a total of $5,000. Additionally, for battery, it is approximately $300/kWh installed up to 17kWh for another $5,000. In total, you can get up to $10,000 in rebates towards a system. There may also be additional rebates and low-cost loans in your area, beyond this program, so please ask!

‍

What does a solar and battery system typically cost? 

The cost of solar and battery has come down significantly in recent years. For a 5kW solar with a 17 kWh battery, it costs around $25,000. After the $10,000 rebates, that is a net system cost of $15,000. Costs will differ from installation services, components chosen and warranty levels. 

‍

Can I install solar and battery myself or DIY, and get the rebate?

No, you need to use a licensed installer in Ontario to install the system.  While DIY can save costs, you need to consider the other elements of going solar beyond the build and connect. Licensed installers provide these other services as well: Design, procure and ships the equipment, construction and electrician labour, engineering, permitting for building standards and ESA for safety, produce safety labels, coordinate with the utility for “Permission to Operate” and provide component and service warranty for years to come. While you may be able to do a portion of the project yourself, most installers will want to provide the complete project, in order to provide you with their service warranty. 

‍

Will my home insurance increase by adding solar or batteries in Ontario? 

Your insurance may go up a bit because of the increase in your home's total replacement value and the addition of equipment vulnerable to damage. While your coverage needs to rise—making premiums higher—many find the increase to be minimal, ranging from a few extra dollars a month to a slightly higher annual cost, particularly because the system adds value to your home's structure. Note, this is not due to higher risk of fire, because it is done by following the building code. At Solr Solvr, we have found it is much easier to get home insurance to cover the renovation project when it is completed by a professional installer–and provides you with piece of mind.  

‍