Should I get solar panels in Ottawa?
Ottawa may be one of the youngest cities in the country with nearly half of its population under 35, but that just means new homeowners are ripe to take advantage of the average 25 year lifetime of a home solar PV system. With the generous micro FIT program in place in Ontario, an Ottawa resident with an average size 5 kW rooftop system could generate over $36,000 worth of electricity in the first 20 years. Residents across the river in Gatineau and Hull can take advantage of one of Canada's most generous tax credits of 20% to help offset the cost of their solar PV system. To make the most of these opportunities, let us help put you in touch with up to three solar installers in your area who can assess the specifics of your situation and provide you with free solar quotes that you can compare. With above-average levels of sunshine, more and more residents of Ottawa-Gatineau are turning to solar energy as a viable alternative to counter increasing utility bills. Are you going to join them?
Currently, Ottawa has 4 financial incentive programs and 1 regulatory program supporting the adoption of solar energy.
Ottawa is in a grid parity province, making solar power cheaper than the residential utility rates. Solar incentives can significantly reduce the cost of installation of solar panels for your home or business.
Ottawa Solar Energy Outlook
| Solar Value Index | $ |
| Solar Energy Produced | 5844 kWh / year |
| Average retail electricity price in AB (2015 data) | cents / kWh |
| Average annual consumption per household in AB (2014 data) | kWh |
| Levelized Cost | cents / kWh |
| Reached grid parity? |
Tips for Going Solar in Ottawa
Get multiple quotes
Homeowners that speak with more than one installer are better informed and stand a better chance of saving money on their solar PV system. Solar installers in and around Ottawa can help you navigate the process and ensure that you benefit from any applicable local and provincial solar incentives. While price is an important factor in your decision, there are other considerations that can influence your decision and by speaking with multiple installers, you can find the right one for you. We recommend that you get quotes from up to three installers whenever possible.Be prepared
When speaking with installers, there are a few standard questions you should be ready to answer. These include, how much electricity do you use, so if you can, pull out your electricity bills from the past year and find your consumption for the past 12 months. Also, be prepared to answer questions about your roof, such as the age, condition, and material. Installers also like to have a look at your roof on Google Maps so that they have a good idea about shade levels and its orientation, both of which are important factors in determining if solar panels will work for you in Ottawa.Methodology Notes
- Average monthly electricity consumption data is from the Canadian Electricity Association (2014 data).
- Utility rates for the provinces are based on a study published by Hydro Quebec. Rates in effect in April 2017. Source: Comparison of Electricity Prices in Major North American Cities. Utility rates for the territories are based on residential rate data as reported by Qulliq Energy Corporation (as displayed on 27 September 2016); Northwest Territories Power Corporation (effective 1 October 2017); Yukon Housing Corporation (effective 1 July 2016).
- Annual solar production estimates are based on the analysis performed using our own solar energy calculator, Sunmetrix Discover.
- Installed solar PV capacity figures are from Natural Resources Canada's report entitled "Photovoltaic Technology Status and Prospects: Canadian Annual Report (2015)".
- The national average for utility rates in Canada excludes the rates in the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
Latest Update: January 2019