This solar panel cost calculator estimates the installed price of a grid-connected home solar system in Canada (low, typical and high, before tax and before rebates), from the system size, the roof type and the options. Reference case, data reviewed in November 2026: an 8 kW system on a shingle roof costs about $23,600 before tax in Quebec ($20,800 to $26,400), $22,000 in Ontario, $22,800 in British Columbia and $22,000 in Alberta. Prices currently cover: Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta. The detailed budget is emailed to you as a PDF.
To receive your detailed budget, use the "Send this budget by email (PDF)" form on renoclair.ca.
Free independent toolBefore tax. With tax (typical):
Cost breakdown (typical)
| Item | Estimated amount |
|---|
Typical solar system costs by province (before tax and rebates)
| System (installed) | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quebec : 6 kW, shingle roof | $15,600 | $17,700 | $19,800 |
| Quebec : 8 kW, shingle roof | $20,800 | $23,600 | $26,400 |
| Quebec : 10 kW, shingle roof | $26,000 | $29,500 | $33,000 |
| Ontario : 6 kW, shingle roof | $14,700 | $16,500 | $18,300 |
| Ontario : 8 kW, shingle roof | $19,600 | $22,000 | $24,400 |
| Ontario : 10 kW, shingle roof | $24,500 | $27,500 | $30,500 |
| British Columbia : 6 kW, shingle roof | $15,300 | $17,100 | $19,200 |
| British Columbia : 8 kW, shingle roof | $20,400 | $22,800 | $25,600 |
| British Columbia : 10 kW, shingle roof | $25,500 | $28,500 | $32,000 |
| Alberta : 6 kW, shingle roof | $14,700 | $16,500 | $18,600 |
| Alberta : 8 kW, shingle roof | $19,600 | $22,000 | $24,800 |
| Alberta : 10 kW, shingle roof | $24,500 | $27,500 | $31,000 |
Before tax and rebates, November 2026. The table uses the same rates as the calculator.
Rates used by the calculator
| Province | Shingle roof (per kW) | Metal roof (per kW) | Flat roof (per kW) | Battery ~10–13.5 kWh |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quebec | $2,950 | $3,050 | $3,250 | $14,500 |
| Ontario | $2,750 | $2,850 | $3,050 | $15,000 |
| British Columbia | $2,850 | $2,950 | $3,150 | $15,500 |
| Alberta | $2,750 | $2,850 | $3,050 | $14,500 |
Typical installed values, before tax. A cost of $2,750 per kW is the same as $2.75 per watt.
Rebates by province (verified November 13, 2026)
- Quebec: Hydro-Québec pays $1,000 per installed kW, up to 40% of eligible costs, for panels installed since June 30, 2025 and approved for grid connection. For the 8 kW reference system, the grant would be about $8,000 ($1,000 × 8 kW), below the 40% limit.
- Ontario: Home Renovation Savings pays $1,000 per kW, up to $5,000 (50% of cost), plus $300 per kWh of paired battery, up to $5,000. Written pre-approval is required, and a rebated system cannot join net metering (load displacement only).
- British Columbia: BC Hydro pays $1,000 per kW, up to $5,000 (50% of cost), and $500 per kWh of battery, up to $1,500 ($5,000 with Peak Saver). Self-generation approval comes first; since June 1, 2026, the installer must belong to the Home Performance Contractor Network. Solar panels are exempt from BC PST.
- Alberta: no provincial rebate for residential solar in November 2026; some municipalities offer financing repaid through the property tax bill (Clean Energy Improvement Program).
Rebates are not deducted from the calculator’s budget, because they depend on your eligibility and on the program’s funding.
What is included and what is not
- Included: panels, inverters or micro-inverters, racking, wiring, permits, installation and grid connection paperwork
- Options: home battery, electrical work for the connection, critter guard and snow guards
- Not included: roof repairs before installation, structural reinforcement, tree removal, and a main service upgrade (see our electrical panel calculator)
How the calculator calculates your estimate
The system size in kW is multiplied by an installed rate per kW for the roof type and province, then the options are added. Rates were checked against two province-by-province price surveys (about $2.40 to $3.33 per watt depending on the province) and a national range of $2.40 to $3.50 per watt. Taxes are shown separately: 14.975% GST + QST in Quebec, 13% HST in Ontario, and 5% GST in British Columbia and Alberta. In BC, the contractor pays the 7% PST on materials and includes it in the price for work that becomes part of the house.
Permits, licences and rules
- Quebec: a CMEQ member contractor and Hydro-Québec approval for self-generation.
- Ontario: an ESA electrical permit and a connection agreement with your local utility.
- British Columbia: a Technical Safety BC electrical permit and BC Hydro self-generation approval.
- Alberta: an electrical permit under the Safety Codes Act and the utility’s micro-generation approval; some cities also require a development permit.
Which provinces are covered?
Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta.
Limitations
- This is a planning estimate, not a quote.
- Roof orientation, shading and electricity prices decide the payback; the calculator only estimates the cost.
- The budget is sent as a PDF by email; the page has no print button.
Sources, review date and data version
- Hydro-Québec solar self-generation grant (April 2, 2026)
- Home Renovation Savings, solar and battery (Ontario)
- BC Hydro solar and battery rebates
- Bulletin PST 203 (Government of British Columbia)
- Price sources: two provincial price surveys and installer price guides published in 2024–2026 (not named on this page); see sources and methodology.
- Data version 2026.Q4-solar-2, reviewed November 13, 2026. Next review: February 2027.
Related guides and calculators
- Electrical Panel Upgrade Cost Calculator
- EV Charger Installation Cost Calculator
- Heat Pump Cost Calculator
- Roof Replacement Cost Calculator
- Smart thermostat rebate in Ontario
- All renovation cost calculators
Frequently asked questions
How much do solar panels cost in Canada?
An 8 kW system on a shingle roof costs about $23,600 before tax in Quebec, $22,000 in Ontario, $22,800 in British Columbia and $22,000 in Alberta, before rebates (November 2026).
What is the cost per watt?
About $2.75 per watt in Ontario and $2.95 in Quebec for a shingle roof (typical, installed, before tax).
What rebates are available?
Quebec: $1,000 per kW up to 40% of costs (Hydro-Québec). Ontario: up to $5,000 for panels and $5,000 for a battery. BC: up to $5,000 for panels and $1,500 to $5,000 for a battery. Alberta: no provincial rebate.
Can I get the Ontario rebate and net metering?
No. Home Renovation Savings solar rebates are for load displacement only; a project that joins net metering does not receive the rebate.
How much does a home battery add?
About $15,000 installed for a 10 to 13.5 kWh battery in Ontario (typical, before tax).
How do I get the budget as a PDF?
Run the calculation, enter your email address and accept the consent box: the PDF arrives by email within a few minutes.
When are prices updated?
Every three months; these prices and rebates were reviewed in November 2026.