Solar Panel ROI Calculator Canada (2026)
Solar panel ROI calculator for Canadian homeowners. Select your province and enter your monthly electricity bill to instantly see your payback period, recommended system size, and 25-year net profit based on 2026 provincial rates.
Regional Rule Context
Canada Rates and Rules
2026 provincial rates: AB 25.8c, SK 18.9c, NS 18.3c, NB 14.6c, ON 14.1c, BC 11.0c, MB 9.9c, QC 7.8c per kWh. Install cost $2.75/watt average. Greener Homes Loan closed Oct 2025. Net metering in most provinces.
Enter Values
Your current average monthly electricity bill
Result
Enter values above and click Calculate to see your result.
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Canadian solar panel ROI calculator with 2026 provincial electricity rates. Provincial rates: Alberta 25.8c, Saskatchewan 18.9c, Nova Scotia 18.3c, New Brunswick 14.6c, Ontario 14.1c, British Columbia 11.0c, Manitoba 9.9c, Quebec 7.8c per kWh. Installation cost averages $2.75 per watt ($2.50 to $3.00 range). The federal Canada Greener Homes Loan closed to new applicants October 2025, so no federal grant is applied. Net metering available in most provinces. Panel degradation 0.5% per year over 25-year lifespan.
Disclaimer: This calculator uses publicly available rules effective as of Jan 1, 2026 (version 2.0). Results are for informational purposes only. Always verify with official sources or a qualified professional. Last reviewed: Apr 1, 2026.
Formula
Your annual electricity usage is derived from your bill and provincial rate. The system size needed to offset that usage is calculated using your province sun-hour multiplier (1,080 to 1,300 hours). The payback period is the gross installation cost at $2.75/watt divided by your annual bill savings.
2026 Provincial Electricity Rates and Solar Payback Estimates
Hardcoded rates used by this calculator. Payback assumes $2.75/watt installed cost and net metering.
| Province | Rate (c/kWh) | Sun Hours | Est. Payback ($150/mo bill) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | 25.8 | 1,276 | 8.4 yrs |
| Saskatchewan | 18.9 | 1,300 | 11.5 yrs |
| Nova Scotia | 18.3 | 1,080 | 11.9 yrs |
| New Brunswick | 14.6 | 1,100 | 14.9 yrs |
| Ontario | 14.1 | 1,150 | 15.4 yrs |
| British Columbia | 11.0 | 1,100 | 19.7 yrs |
| Manitoba | 9.9 | 1,250 | 21.9 yrs |
| Quebec | 7.8 | 1,185 | 27.8 yrs |
Note: Rates are average residential rates as of early 2026. Actual rates vary by utility and rate plan. Payback estimates assume $2.75/watt installed cost, no federal grant (Greener Homes Loan closed Oct 2025), and 100% bill offset via net metering.
Canada FAQs
Is the Canada Greener Homes Loan still available in 2026?
No. The Canada Greener Homes Loan portal officially closed to new applicants on October 1, 2025. All solar ROI calculations for 2026 must be based on standard market installation costs ($2.50 to $3.00 per watt) without federal subsidies. Some provincial and municipal rebate programs may still exist in your area, so check with your local government.
What is the solar payback period in Alberta?
Alberta offers the fastest solar payback in Canada at approximately 8 to 10 years. This is because Alberta has one of the highest residential electricity rates (25.8 c/kWh) combined with excellent solar irradiance (1,276 peak sun hours per year). A homeowner with a $200/month bill would install a 7.3 kW system for approximately $20,000 and recover the cost in 8.4 years.
How much do solar panels cost per watt in Canada in 2026?
The national average installed cost is $2.75 per watt in early 2026, with a range of $2.50 to $3.00 depending on your province, installer, and system size. A 10 kW system costs approximately $27,500 before any provincial incentives. Larger systems (12+ kW) may qualify for slight volume discounts. Prices include panels, inverter, racking, permits, and labour.
Why is solar not worth it in Quebec?
Quebec has the lowest residential electricity rate in Canada at just 7.8 c/kWh, thanks to abundant hydroelectric power. At this rate, the payback period for solar panels exceeds 25 years, which is roughly the lifespan of the panels themselves. The low rate means each kWh you generate saves very little money compared to provinces like Alberta or Nova Scotia.
How does net metering work for solar in Canada?
Net metering allows you to export excess solar electricity to the grid and receive a credit on your bill. When your panels produce more than you use during the day, the surplus flows to the grid. At night or on cloudy days, you draw from the grid and use those credits. Most provinces offer net metering with annual or monthly credit true-ups. Ontario, Alberta, BC, Saskatchewan, and Nova Scotia all have active net metering programs.
What is the 25-year return on solar in Ontario?
An Ontario homeowner with a $150/month bill would install a 9.3 kW system for approximately $25,500. At 14.1 c/kWh with 2% annual rate increases and 0.5% panel degradation, cumulative 25-year savings total approximately $56,000 to $62,000. After subtracting the installation cost, net profit over 25 years is $30,000 to $36,000. The effective solar cost per kWh is about 5.2 cents, well below the grid rate.
Which province has the best solar ROI in Canada?
Alberta has the best combination of high electricity rates (25.8 c/kWh) and strong solar irradiance (1,276 peak hours). Saskatchewan is a close second with 1,300 peak hours and 18.9 c/kWh rates. Nova Scotia rounds out the top three with 18.3 c/kWh rates offsetting its lower 1,080 sun hours. All three provinces offer payback periods under 12 years.
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