The renewable energy growth across the country is well known, and to incentivize more than just companies on the transition from conventional to renewable energy, Canada has created initiatives to make it affordable for homeowners as well.

In this article, you can check the main federal and provincial programs. You will see that there are many available programs related to energy efficiency as well, which can be a strong move to make your household future-proof and closer to net zero.

For more information, on this Governmental page, there are local or federal program details according to a range of different homeowner needs.

Federal programs

Launched in 2022, the Canada Greener Homes Loan ideal is to help Canadians save on energy, making their homes more energy efficient. To make it possible, the program (we talked more about it here) offers up to $40,000 in interest-free financing to eligible homeowners (eligibility criteria) at the pre-retrofit stage. at the pre-retrofit stage.

Home insulation, air-sealing, windows and doors, thermostats, water heating, renewable energy, and resiliency measures are some eligible retrofits in the federal program designed for eligible Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or non-permanent residents legally authorized to work in Canada.

In the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability (OHPA) program, eligible Canadian homeowners may receive initially an upfront payment of up-to-$10,000 to switch from oil heating to energy-efficient heat pumps. Now, the government increased the amount to up to $15,000 ($5,000 additional).

The Governmental website page regarding the program is destined for homeowners in Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Northwest Territories, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon. Provinces that have agreements with the federal government for the delivery of the OHPA program.

The Canada Greener Affordable Housing program is focused on helping affordable housing providers complete deep energy retrofits on existing multi-unit residential buildings, and it is divided into pre-retrofit funding and retrofit funding as you can check on the website. According to the CGAH program, the pre-retrofit funding, as the name suggests, provides funding for the activities required to support the preparation of the greener home process considering that this previous step (pre-retrofit funding) covers activities that allow you, if eligible, to learn more about your building energy performance and what retrofits are required to meet deep energy retrofit targets.

In the other hand, the retrofit funding option helps eligible residents finance building retrofit measures and activities needed (fund 100% of eligible retrofit costs, up to $170,000 per unit) to meet climate objectives, leading to deep reductions in energy consumption and GHG emissions.

All the application requirements and program details can be found on the CMHC page.

Launched in 2019, the iZEV Program for light-duty vehicles aims to encourage the adoption of ZEVs by Canadians and Canadian businesses. The Government of Canada selected many different makes and models of eligible zero-emission vehicles for purchase or lease (over 12 months) that offer qualified consumers an incentive of up to $5,000.

Launched three years later than iZEV program to incentivize medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicles (iMHZEV), the iMHZEV Program can provide incentives of up to $200,000 for buses, tractors, trucks, and more. Many different makes and models of eligible zero-emission vehicles for purchase or lease (12 months or more) are available to eligible organizations.

At Energyrates.ca we have many articles regarding electric vehicles that can help you know the pros and cons of incentives.

Alberta

Clean Energy Improvement Program

Under the Alberta Municipalities, the Clean Energy Improvement Program [CB1] can help commercial or residential properties access competitive rates and cover up to 100% of project costs. During the process, property owners follow the program steps to complete eligible energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades. Once upgrades are installed and approved, repayment is made through the property owner’s municipal property tax bill.

Edmonton

The Solar Rebate Program offers Edmonton homeowners $0.40/watt towards the cost of the system, which covers approximately 15% of the costs of going solar. Newly constructed homes and residential buildings are also eligible for a City of Edmonton rebate of $0.30/watt. You can check the program’s Terms & Conditions for full eligibility criteria and documentation requirements. Applications can be submitted via the program portal.

City of Medicine Hat

With a maximum rebate of $1.000, the Solar Electric Incentive Program offers residential utility customers to purchase and install solar PV systems on their homes. The rebate amount is awarded based on the size (watts DC) of the installed system.

Our article on what you should know about solar panels:

Should you Add Solar to Your Home? – EnergyRates.ca

City of Lethbridge

To incentivize the local green transition, the City of Lethbridge is offering home buyers in the SunRidge development financial incentives to maximize energy efficiency in their homes ($2,500 for Silver; $3,500 for Gold). Environmental standards are based on the EnerGuide rating for houses, which takes into consideration energy efficiency and energy consumption in the home.

Town of Banff

To encourage property owners to install solar photovoltaic systems that produce renewable electricity, the Town of Banff incentivizes applications for solar PV rebates from both Residential and Commercial customers. All projects must meet development, building and electrical safety code requirements. Minimum installation requirements are a 2 kW solar electric system.

Ontario

Toronto

Toronto’s Eco-Roof Incentive Program is designed to promote the use of green and cool roofs on Toronto’s existing residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings, and new residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings with a gross floor area of less than 2,000 m².

The High-Rise Retrofit Improvement Support Program (Hi-RIS) program makes low-cost financing available for owners of residential apartment buildings built before 1990 of three or more stories to make improvements that reduce energy and water consumption.

British Columbia

In the Clean Go Electric Program BC residents can save as much as $8,000 when purchasing an electric vehicle. and get rebates up to install chargers at home, work, condo or apartment.

The Indigenous Leadership Fund is a new program under the Low Carbon Economy Fund which provides up to $180 million by 2029 to support climate action by Indigenous peoples. The program will fund Indigenous-owned and led renewable energy, energy efficiency, and low-carbon heating projects.

City of Nelson

Launched in 2012, the City of Nelson’s EcoSave program was the first energy efficiency program of its kind to be developed in Canada. The program offers on-bill financing to eligible residents. Energy retrofits are upgrades that include upgrading insulation, reducing air leakage, and installing more efficient space and water heating systems.

Quebec

The EcoPerformance Program seeks to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions of businesses by funding projects or measures linked to the improvement of processes related to the consumption and production of energy. It is available to businesses, institutions and municipalities that consume fossil fuels or use processes that generate fugitive GHG emissions to enable them to make the transition to reducing emissions.

Énergir launched the Solar Preheating program to incentivize the energy transition, and the amount can reach up to $200,000. The company will pay $3 for eligible residents per cubic meter of natural gas saved toward the purchase and installation of a solar thermal collector connected to natural gas equipment.

Novo Climathomes

The program promotes the construction of new, high-energy performance homes, according to specific construction requirements. Each home registered in the program is inspected by an independent evaluation consultant and receives government certification which confirms its superior energy performance. It is estimated that a new Novoclimat home enables its occupants to save 20% on energy costs in relation to a house that complies with the Québec Construction Code.

Manitoba

The Manitoba Electric Vehicle Rebate Program provides rebates of $4,000 on the purchase of a new eligible electric vehicle, $1,000 to $4,000 on leasing an eligible electric vehicle, and $2,500 on the purchase of pre-owned eligible electric vehicles.

To be eligible, vehicles must be purchased or leased from Manitoba dealerships with a maximum manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MRSP) of $70,000 for new vehicles or a maximum $70,000 purchase price for used vehicles, with one rebate per vehicle and owner.

Saskatchewan

The City of Saskatoon Rebate Program offers a Rebate Program to encourage homebuilders and lot purchasers to improve the curb appeal of newly built homes in our communities. The rebates are part of our commitment to building environmentally sustainable communities and encouraging environmentally friendly household practices.

Nova Scotia

In Halifax Regional Municipality

The Solar City program offers property owners in the municipality access to innovative solar energy options, which can be financed through a solar collector account with the Halifax Regional Municipality. The city has committed $20.1 million in financing for the installation of solar energy systems and created 7.30 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy in the municipality.

Prince Edward Island

The Energy Efficiency Loan Program for Solar Photovoltaic Equipment (EELP-SERP) will provide financing to qualifying Prince Edward Island homeowners, farms, and businesses that are approved applicants under Efficiency PEI’s Solar Electric Rebate Program. The maximum loan amount available to homeowners is $25,000 (net of rebate). Loans to farms and businesses may exceed $25,000 (net of rebate)

In case you are looking for certificates, quotes, or renewable energy solutions for your home or company, you can access our pages:

Our energy experts will be more than glad to help you with that.

Renewable Energy Incentives in Canada: Federal and Provincial Programs

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Federal programs