What is the Canada Greener Homes Grant and How Do I Apply?
The federal government has a long tradition of encouraging Canadian homeowners to adopt residential solar power systems through grants, low-to-no-interest loans, rebates, and tax credits.
A key early initiative, the ecoENERGY Retrofit Program, launched in 2007 and is widely credited with helping to kickstart the home solar power industry.
In 2020, the Trudeau government announced the Canada Greener Homes Grant — a program designed to incentivize homeowners to make energy efficiency improvements to residential properties, including the purchase and installation of solar panels and home battery storage systems.
The Canada Greener Homes Loan was announced 6 months later, in June 2021.
Both programs have been deemed a success by the government…
But only one is open to new applicants.
Read on to find out which and how to take advantage of the Canada Greener Homes program to make
energy-efficient improvements.
How Do I Apply for the Canada Greener Homes Grant?
Unfortunately, the Canada Greener Homes Grant was closed to new applicants on March 31, 2024.
On February 5, 2024, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson announced the program closure, saying:
“The enormous popularity of the first phase of the Canada Greener Homes Grant illustrates Canadians’ desire for their homes to be affordable, comfortable, and sustainable.
As hundreds of thousands of Canadians continue to retrofit their homes with Government of Canada support, we are readying the next phase of the Canada Greener Homes Initiative to offer more accessible supports to families across the country who need it most while continuing to take action on climate change.”
Out of over 500,000 applications, 165,000 grants were approved, worth up to $5,000 each.
The grant program was intended to run until 2027, but demand from homeowners was higher than anticipated, and by 2024, all the funds had been disbursed.
Despite the early closure, the federal government claims the program was a resounding success.
As of April 2025, no new federal solar power grants have emerged to replace the Canada Greener Homes Grants.
However, that may change.
The Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program (CGHAP) was announced two weeks after the grant program closed in April 2024.
The official website currently claims:
“When in place, CGHAP-funded programs will provide low-to-median-income homeowners and tenants with no cost home retrofits, such as insulation and heat pumps, to help reduce monthly energy bills, while reducing energy use and cutting greenhouse gas emissions.”
However, no explicit mention is made of solar power or home battery systems, and the program is still in the development stage.
Fortunately, the Canada Greener Homes Loan is still open to new applicants seeking to make energy-efficient home improvements, including the purchase of rooftop solar panels and home battery backup systems.
More on that below.
(Source: NRCan)
How Did the Canada Greener Homes Grant Work?
The official Canada Greener Homes Grant (CGHG) application window was open from December 1, 2020, to March 31, 2024.
In practice, the application window was shorter:
The online portal to submit applications didn’t open until February 8, 2021. However, eligible homeowners who made qualifying energy efficiency improvements on or after December 1, 2020 and March 31, 2024, could apply for the grant retroactively.
The CGHG’s early application closure date of March 31, 2024, was announced publicly on February 5, 2024. However, even homeowners accepted into the program had to complete all work and submit the final paperwork by March 31, 2024. Otherwise, they would not receive the rebate.
The official notice period was under two months before the program ended, leaving many homeowners scrambling to complete their eligible home improvements and the final paperwork by March 31.
Here’s a brief summary of the application process for the CGHG — since it’s no longer available, there’s little point in going into detail.
Eligibility Check
Confirmation that you own your primary residence and that it’s an eligible property type (single/semi-detached house, row house, or townhouse).
Pre-Retrofit Energy Evaluation
Hire an NRCan-registered Energy Advisor to evaluate your home’s pre-retrofit energy efficiency and recommend Canada Greener Homes Initiative-eligible improvements. Required for most, but not all, retrofits.
Retrofit Planning
Homeowners would decide which retrofits to explore further, obtain quotes from licensed (and reputable) contractors, and determine each line item's potential savings under the CGHG guidelines. Then, they would decide which retrofits to proceed with.
Apply through the CGHG Online Portal:
Applications for the CGHG could be filed using the online portal from February 8, 2021, through March 31, 2024.
Wait for Approval:
NRCan gave you a Grant Reference Number if approved.
Proceed with Retrofits:
Homeowners were solely responsible for hiring and paying contractors, purchasing materials and eligible systems (e.g., heat pumps, water heaters, solar panels), and overseeing all work until complete. Funds to begin work could be obtained under the separate Canada Greener Homes Loan program.
Post-Retrofit Evaluation:
For grant money to be disbursed, an NR-Can registered Energy Advisor had to evaluate and certify improvements and provide a new EnerGuide rating for your home.
Receiving the Grant:
Once NRCan approved the claim, grant money was directly deposited into your bank account or sent by check.
The Closure of the Grant – What It Means for Homeowners
The early closure of the Canada Greener Homes Grant left some homeowners disappointed — particularly because no comparable federal government program has taken its place.
The Canada Greener Homes Loan remains available to eligible homeowners at low interest rates.
Details of the Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program — purportedly aimed at low-to-middle-income homeowners — have yet to be revealed.
Fortunately, provincial and municipal grants, rebates, and other incentives can still help make energy-efficient home improvements more affordable for Canadian homeowners.
In this next section, we’ll explore residential solar power incentives specifically.
Alternative Financial Support for Solar Energy in Canada
Residential solar power systems and home battery storage were not the primary focus of the Canada Greener Homes Grant, although there was some eligibility.
While no federal grants are currently available for residential solar panels and photovoltaic systems, there are many provincial, municipal, and utility company programs, depending on where you live.
Net Metering Programs
If you install a grid-tied or hybrid residential solar panel system at your home, you’re almost certainly eligible for solar net metering.
Net metering enables owners of small photovoltaic (PV) systems to sell excess power to their utility provider — typically for credit against electricity bills.
In some provinces, you may be able to receive direct payments for the electricity you sell.
The vast majority of Canadian households have access to net metering programs through their local electricity provider.
However, the practical and financial viability of a grid-tied or hybrid (solar + storage) PV system as an investment depends on numerous factors beyond net metering, including peak sunlight availability, electricity rates, and initial system costs.
Provincial Solar Incentives
All of Canada’s provinces and territories offer net metering programs, but many solar rebates are also available.
Below is a table of active programs.
However, please note that availability and eligibility requirements are subject to change.
Solar Incentives by Province (April 2025)
Province or Territory | Incentive Type | Amount | Requirements | Provider |
Alberta | Net Metering | Variable | Eligible grid-tied or hybrid photovoltaic system | Multiple Options |
British Columbia | Self-Generation (Net Metering) | Variable | Eligible grid-tied or hybrid photovoltaic system | |
British Columbia | Solar Panel Rebate | Up to $5,000 | - $1,000 per kilowatt (kW) of installed generator capacity. - Rebate amount capped at 50% of total installed product cost (including labour and materials). - Maximum rebate $5,000. | |
British Columbia | Home Battery Storage Rebate | Up to $5,000 | - $500 per kWh of installed storage capacity. - Rebate amount capped at 50% of total installed product cost (including labour and materials). - Maximum rebate $5,000 - Minimum storage capacity: 5 kilowatt-hours (kWh) | |
Manitoba | Net Billing | Variable | Eligible grid-tied or hybrid photovoltaic system | |
New Brunswick | Net Metering | Variable | Eligible grid-tied or hybrid photovoltaic system | |
New Brunswick | Solar Panel Rebate | $200 per kW of rated power output | PV system compliant with NB net metering requirements | |
Newfoundland and Labrador | Net Metering | Variable |
| |
Nova Scotia | SolarHomes | Up to $3,000 in rebates for approved solar photovoltaic (PV) systems up to 10 kW | Systems must be: - Designed and installed by an Efficiency Nova Scotia Registered Solar Installer - A minimum size of 1 kW - New | |
Nova Scotia | Net Metering | Variable |
| |
Ontario | Solar Panel + Home Battery Storage Rebate | Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems: including panels, mounting system, connection costs, and inverter(s): Up to $5000 for ($1000/kW up to 50% of total costs.) Battery Storage: ($300/kWh, up to 50% of total costs* *Net metering is NOT permitted | - Rooftop installation - New system - Purchased in Canada - Designed and installed by a licensed electrician | |
Prince Edward Island | Solar Electric Rebate Program | 1,000/kilowatt DC installed, up to 40% of installed costs, to a maximum of $10,000. | - Building must receive the residential rate on the electric bill. - Work with solar PV installer from the Network of Excellence | |
Quebec | Net Metering | Variable | Eligible grid-tied or hybrid photovoltaic system | |
Saskatchewan | Net Metering | Variable | Eligible grid-tied or hybrid photovoltaic system | |
Yukon | Renewable Energy Rebate | Rebate of $800 per kilowatt of generating capacity to a maximum of $5,000 per system per year. | Grid-tied: Signed copy of your Micro-generation Interconnection and Operating Agreement or a final electrical inspection report. Off-grid: provide a copy of the final approved electrical inspection or a letter of assurance from a professional engineer. | |
Yukon | Micro-generation Program (Net Metering) | Variable | New applications paused until January 2026 | |
Northwest Territories | Net Metering | Variable | Eligible grid-tied or hybrid photovoltaic system | |
Northwest Territories | Renewable Energy Rebate | Up to $20,000 - 50% of the total eligible costs of the project - $4/watt that the system can produce | Renewable energy systems and all materials required for installing your system Shipping Inverters and electrical control systems Batteries for stand-alone applications and for grid-tied systems with battery backup | |
Nunavut |
| Homeowners are eligible for a non-repayable grant of up to 50% of total project costs, up to a maximum of $30,000, whichever amount is the lesser of the two. | Receipts showing your system is paid in full, noting the supplier, the date of purchase, and itemized material costs. Photos of the installed system, including: • Solar array • Bi-directional meter • Batteries and charge controller (if installed) |
Municipal Incentives
Toronto’s rooftop photovoltaic rebate is the only municipal solar incentive accepting new applications.
However, many smaller cities and towns across Canada have offered solar or energy efficiency incentives in the past, including:
Okotoks, AB
Guelph, ON
Summerland BC
Nelson, BC
It’s worth searching for solar incentives at every level of government, based on where you live.
Tax credits, rebates, and interest-free loans can significantly shorten your solar payback period and maximize return on investment.
Canada Greener Homes Loan
The Grant component of the Canada Greener Homes Initiative is no longer available, but the loan program is still going strong.
In many ways, the Canada Greener Homes Loan (CGHL) and Grant were intended to go hand-in-hand.
Applying for the CGHL follows a similar process to the CGHG outlined above.
Loan Details
Maximum: $40,000
Minimum: $5,000
Repayment term: 10 years, interest-free
Loan type: Unsecured personal loan on approved credit
Unlike the Grant, the Loan can provide approved applicants with a portion of the money upfront to help fund initial improvement costs.
According to NRCan, loan applicant eligibility requirements are as follows:
It’s essential NOT to undertake improvements BEFORE the Loan is approved.
Purchases and work done before the application is submitted are not eligible for the Loan.
If you start work before the loan is approved and your application is denied, you are fully liable for any amounts owed.
Learn more here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Canada Greener Homes Grant Ending?
Yes. The Canada Greener Homes Grant stopped accepting new applications on March 31, 2024. Additionally, all work approved for grant funding that started before March 31st was required to be completed, certified, and the paperwork submitted by that date. Provincial solar rebates may still be available, depending on where you live. The no-interest Greener Homes Loan is still accepting applications.
Who Qualified for the Canada Greener Homes Grant?
Owners of a single or semi-detached house, row house, or townhouse who occupied the property as their primary residence were eligible for the Canada Greener Homes Grant. 65,000 grants, worth up to $5,000 each, were approved for energy-efficient home improvements, including the installation of rooftop photovoltaic (solar power) systems. The Canada Greener Homes Loan is still accepting new applicants and offers interest-free loans, which can significantly reduce the long-term costs of purchasing a residential solar power system.
Is the Greener Homes Loan Still Available?
Yes. As of April 2025, the Canada Greener Homes Loan is accepting new applications for interest-free loans of up to $40,000 for eligible homeowners making energy-efficient improvements to their primary residence. Qualified expenses include the purchase and installation of residential photovoltaic (solar panel) and home battery backup systems, heat pumps, insulation, and more.
Final Thoughts
Like many government programs, solar rebates and other incentives come and go.
Transitioning to net-zero carbon emissions remains a priority in many countries worldwide, including Canada.
New federal solar incentives will likely emerge to take the place of the Canada Green Homes Grant, but when and what those programs will look like is anyone’s guess.
In the meantime, the Canada Greener Homes Loan offers homeowners the opportunity to make interest-free investments in energy efficiency, including rooftop photovoltaic and home battery backup systems.
Generous provincial solar rebates may also be available, depending on where you live.
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