Solar Panels for Home Use: Costs, Benefits & What to Expect in 2025
- Is It Worth It To Install Solar Panels at Home?
- Solar Panel Costs in 2025
- 6 Benefits of Installing Solar Panels at Home
- Canada’s Solar Incentives and Tax Credits in 2025
- How Long Until You See a Return on Investment?
- How Many Solar Panels Are Needed to Power a House?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts
Fluctuating energy prices, climate concerns, and a desire to harness energy independence are leading Canadians to explore solar power as a viable home energy solution. Thanks to advanced technology and government incentives, residential solar panel systems are more accessible, affordable, and powerful than ever.
Read on to learn about the costs of installing solar panels at home, key considerations, benefits, and what to expect.
Is It Worth It To Install Solar Panels at Home?
Yes, it’s worth the investment and the switch, especially in 2025. With rising electricity costs and available solar incentives across Canada, installing solar panels is one of the smartest home upgrades you can make. You’ll lower your monthly utility bills, reduce your reliance on the grid, boost your property value, and reduce your carbon footprint.
Solar Panel Costs in 2025
In 2025, the average cost of a residential solar panel system in Canada ranges from $1.50 to $3.50 per watt, depending on the technology and size of the system. This means:
A 5 kW system might cost between $7,500 and $17,500
A 10 kW system may cost around $15,000 to $35,000
This is a very wide range. The panel type is a big determinant of how much you’ll pay, with thin film panels being the most affordable but least efficient, and monocrystalline panels being the most expensive but most efficient and longest-lasting. Provincial and federal incentives can significantly lower upfront expenses. If you opt for high-efficiency panels or add solar batteries, expect to pay more but reap greater savings in the long run.
Other additional cost factors include the complexity and pitch of the roof, as well as whether the system is professionally installed or installed by you.
Key Considerations for Solar Panel Installation
When planning a solar energy system for your home, these are the technical and logistical factors to consider.
Panel Type
The most common types of panels are monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film.
Monocrystalline: Highest efficiency and sleek black appearance, but pricier.
Polycrystalline: Lower cost, slightly less efficient, with a bluish tint.
Thin-film: Lightweight and flexible, but with lower output and durability.
Monocrystalline cells are the most popular and highly recommended option because of their longevity, high power output, and long lifespan. You’ll pay more for the quality but save more money faster, quickly returning your initial investment.
Solar Array Size
The size of your array will depend on your household's energy use and goals. Do you want to offset 100% of your power usage or just supplement it?
A 5 kW system might meet the needs of a small home, while a 10+ kW system is often required for larger families or energy-intensive households. When sizing your system, consider future energy use (e.g., electric vehicles, more household members).
Mounted vs. Portable Panels
Rooftop-mounted panels are a traditional choice, but portable panels offer flexibility and versatility in their applications. You can take portable panels camping, to the beach, on RV trips, and more, but mounted roof panels will only be available at home.
Portable panels may also be less expensive because you’ll need less. At home, you’ll want an array that can satisfy your home’s energy consumption, but for portable panels, you will likely need much less wattage.
Solar Batteries
A solar battery stores excess energy for use at night or during outages. Without a battery, excess power gets wasted or sent back to the electrical grid. Electricity costs more during peak-use hours (typically during evenings), so batteries are essential if you want to maximize your solar investment and the benefits of your system while gaining true energy independence.
Installation Requirements
Installing panels isn’t as simple as plugging in a device. You’ll need:
A structurally sound roof or ground-mount frame
South-facing exposure for maximum sunlight in Canada
Electrical permits (and possibly a building permit)
Approval from your local utility
You’ll also need other components beyond just the panels themselves. A complete system requires an inverter, mounting hardware, and battery storage if you choose to add that.
Professional or DIY
Hiring a professional installer ensures safety and compliance with electrical codes, especially for rooftop systems. However, DIY setups, especially with portable panels and solar generators, are becoming more popular because of their low cost and simplicity. The choice is yours.
6 Benefits of Installing Solar Panels at Home
There’s a long list of reasons to switch to solar at home in 2025, but these are the top benefits you can look forward to:
Reduce Electricity Bills
Solar panels produce free electricity from the sun, reducing your utility bill from day one and contributing to paying off your upfront investment. Some homeowners can even eliminate their bills by adding energy storage to the system and disconnecting from the grid.
Full ROI
Most homeowners in Canada see a full return on investment within 7-12 years, depending on location, system size, energy usage, and available incentives. After that, the electricity you generate is essentially free. If your system is connected to the grid, you’ll just need to pay a small monthly grid connection fee.
According to Radio-Canada, rooftop solar is paid off the fastest in Calgary (5 years), while it takes an average of 10 years in Toronto and 11 years in Halifax. Montreal has the longest payback period (19 years) due to Quebec’s cheap electricity.
Property Value Increase
Studies show that homes with solar installed sell faster and for more. Buyers are interested in homes with low operating costs and built-in energy resilience, so a home with a built-in solar power system is attractive.
Decreased Reliance on Grid
Solar energy gives you peace of mind during power outages and reduces dependence on an aging and sometimes unstable grid. However, you only benefit from grid resilience if you have a battery storage system you can draw from when the grid goes out. Pairing your system with EcoFlow batteries ensures you stay powered, no matter what.
Rebates
Government rebates and tax incentives can significantly reduce initial costs. Many provinces offer additional perks for battery storage or energy-efficient upgrades bundled with solar. Loans, grants, and net metering may also be available.
Reduce Carbon Footprint
Using solar energy significantly lowers your household’s greenhouse gas emissions. One average home solar system offsets 3 to 4 metric tons of CO2 per year, equivalent to planting over 100 trees annually.
Canada’s Solar Incentives and Tax Credits in 2025
As of 2025, Canada continues to invest heavily in renewable energy adoption, and homeowners can benefit significantly from federal and provincial incentives and rebates that make solar panel installation more affordable.
Federal Incentives
Federal incentives are available to anyone who lives in Canada and comes through the federal government. The Greener Homes Grant provides significant savings, while the Greener Homes Loan helps residents purchase renewable energy equipment with reasonable payback conditions.
Canada Greener Homes Grant
One of the most impactful programs for residential solar installation, the Canada Greener Homes Grant provides up to $5,000 toward eligible energy-efficient retrofits, including panel systems and battery storage. To qualify, homeowners must complete a pre- and post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation. An additional $600 is available to help cover the costs of these evaluations.
Greener Homes Loan
In addition to the grant, the federal government offers an interest-free loan of up to $40,000, repayable over 10 years. This allows homeowners to install panels without needing large out-of-pocket payments, making solar more accessible. Systems including batteries qualify under this program, encouraging energy storage for resiliency and cost control.
Provincial and Territorial Incentives
While federal incentives are valuable, some provinces have local programs that boost your return. Here are a few additional incentives that may be available based on where you live in Canada.
Nova Scotia
Through the SolarHomes Program, Nova Scotia offers savings on home power bills for residents who subscribe to a community solar garden to offset some or all of their electricity usage. Nova Scotia Power measures how much energy you contribute to the garden’s generation and credits you $0.02/kWh generated each month after subscribing.
British Columbia
BC Hydro customers can participate in the net metering (Self Generation) Program, and the province offers PST exemptions for solar products. Combined with up to $10,000 in rebates for panels and energy storage, British Columbia is one of the most cost-effective provinces for going solar with battery-backed systems like those from EcoFlow.
Ontario
In early 2025, Ontario launched the Home Renovation Savings Program (HRSP), providing rebates of up to $10,000 combined for rooftop panels and battery storage systems. It also has strong net metering, which allows homeowners to bank electricity credits during sunny months and draw on them in the winter. This offsets seasonal variation and reduces long-term costs.
Additionally, if you live in Toronto, the Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) can provide low-interest loans of up to $125,000 to cover the cost of solar or energy storage improvements.
Stacking Incentives
The good news? You can often stack federal and provincial incentives. For example, a homeowner in Ontario may qualify for the $5,000 federal grant, a $3,000 provincial rebate, and a $40,000 interest-free loan, making a fully equipped solar-and-battery system remarkably affordable.
Tax Benefits
Some provinces may allow you to write off renewable energy installations as a capital improvement or claim tax credits related to home efficiency. Check with your accountant to see if you may be eligible.
How Long Until You See a Return on Investment?
Return on investment (ROI) is a key concern when considering solar. Still, the good news is that in 2025, the ROI timeline is shrinking thanks to better technology, rising electricity prices, and generous government incentives.
Most homeowners in Canada can expect to recover their initial investment within 7 to 12 years, depending on several factors:
System cost and size (a rooftop array will likely require more EcoFlow Mountable Solar Panels, while EcoFlow Portable Solar Panels are more affordable)
Available rebates and grants
Local energy rates
Use of battery storage
Self-consumption vs. net metering
ROI can come even sooner in provinces with high electricity rates, like Ontario or Alberta. Homeowners who take advantage of interest-free loans and stack incentives often break even within 6 to 8 years.
Battery storage can also boost ROI because it allows you to use solar power at night, on cloudy days, and during outages, minimizing your grid power use and maximizing savings.
But keep in mind that ROI isn’t purely monetary. Solar also provides energy independence, backup power security, higher home resale value, and a reduced carbon footprint.
How Many Solar Panels Are Needed to Power a House?
Determining how many panels you’ll need depends on how much energy your household uses, your location, and whether you want to offset all or just part of your consumption.
Consider your monthly energy consumption: the more you use, the more panels you’ll need. Additionally, the panel wattage matters. Most high-efficiency panels are rated around 400W each. The higher the wattage, the fewer panels you’ll need.
Homeowners who only want to offset a portion of their energy use will need fewer panels than those who want to go completely off-grid.
Finally, how’s the sunlight at your home? More sun = fewer panels needed.
Generally, 1 kW of solar can generate about 100-140 kWh per month, so a 400W panel may produce around 40-60 kWh/month.
Household Type | Average Monthly Energy Use (kWh) | Estimated System Size (kW) | Number of Solar Panels Needed |
Single-person | 400-600 | 3-4 | 8-10 |
Couple | 7,00-1,000 | 5-6 | 12-15 |
Family of 4+ | 1,200-1,800 | 7-10 | 18-30 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the 20% Rule for Solar Panels?
The 20% rule for solar panels may refer to a general recommendation that your solar panels should ideally produce 20% more energy than your daily energy usage to provide a buffer. It may also refer to the 120% rule, which is a guideline that the total power from the grid and solar should not surpass 120% of your main panel’s capacity.
Do Solar Panels Increase Home Insurance Costs?
Solar panels may increase home insurance costs, but the increase is not guaranteed, and the amount of your increased premium will vary. The rise in costs is due to higher replacement costs, but the energy savings usually outweigh any hike in insurance.
Are Solar Panels Worth It in Canada?
Yes, solar panels are an excellent investment in Canada. Many provinces have high solar potential, and strong federal and provincial incentives are available, making solar affordable and a wise long-term investment that can help you save on energy costs for decades.
Final Thoughts
Solar power is now mainstream, and more Canadian residents than ever are transitioning to solar power to reduce grid reliance, save on monthly energy bills, reduce their carbon footprint, and increase their property value. In 2025, declining prices, generous rebates, and more advanced technology make this the ideal year to switch.
EcoFlow Solar Panels, whether portable or mountable, are a cost-effective, high-quality option with high efficiency ratings, impressive durability, and lifespans of 30 years or more. If you’re ready to take control of your power consumption, explore EcoFlow’s products and start your clean energy journey today.