What solar and battery rebates pay in Victoria
We re-read BC Hydro's solar and battery rebate page on October 3, 2026. The battery rebate is higher if you enroll it in Peak Saver. Every rebate is capped at 50% of what you paid.
Solar panels
$1,000 per kW of DC capacity, up to 50% of the installed cost.
Battery with Peak Saver
$500 per kWh, up to 50% of cost. Enroll in Peak Saver within 14 days of the in-service date. Battery-only allowed.
Battery without Peak Saver
Only when paired with solar.
Peak Saver battery reward
One-time bill credit for enrolling, then a seasonal reward each winter you stay in.
Tesla Powerwall
Tesla batteries, inverters and chargers are not eligible for BC Hydro or CleanBC rebates.
How much sun Victoria gets
Victoria averaged about 3.65 peak sun hours a day from 2020 to 2024, sunnier than Vancouver and among the best on the coast. As a rough guide, a 5 kW system here would make about 5,329 kWh a year, using 3.65 sun hours times 365 days and assuming 80% of the panel rating reaches your panel after losses. Your installer's design for your own roof will be more accurate.
Homes in Victoria
The 2021 Census counted 49,220 households in Victoria. Only 14% of City of Victoria households live in a detached house (6,715 homes), and about 40% own, the lowest owner share we cover. Rooftop solar here is mostly for the house owners in older neighbourhoods.
Heritage houses and roofs
Victoria's older neighbourhoods have many pre-1981 houses: 4,515 owner households live in one. Check roof age and any heritage rules with the City before you design. With 3.65 peak sun hours and an average January low of 3.0°C, Victoria makes more solar power than most of the coast.
Battery first: outage backup
A battery stores power for when the grid goes down. The rebate is $500 per kWh, so a 10 kWh battery that cost at least $10,000 can reach $5,000 with Peak Saver. Without Peak Saver, the battery must be paired with solar and the rebate stops at $1,500.
The 50% cap and the order of steps
Every rebate is limited to 50% of the installed cost. You must hire a contractor in the Home Performance Contractor Network and submit a self-generation application to BC Hydro before you install. Wait for technical acceptance. After install, send the final inspection documents and paid invoices. BC Hydro pays within 60 days of approval.
Tesla Powerwall is not eligible
Tesla's Powerwall 2 and 3, Tesla inverters and Tesla chargers are not eligible for BC Hydro or CleanBC rebates. The only exception is an application made before March 12, 2025.
Top-rated installers in Victoria
These Victoria solar installers have the best Google ratings with enough reviews to trust. Ratings and review counts from Google Maps. Ask each one if they are in the Home Performance Contractor Network.
How to claim it
- Confirm your home is on BC Hydro's grid.
- Hire a Home Performance Contractor Network member.
- Submit the self-generation application before you install, and wait for technical acceptance.
- Install. Enroll the battery in Peak Saver within 14 days of the in-service date if you want the $5,000 battery rebate.
- Send the final inspection documents and paid invoices.
Common questions
Is Victoria sunny enough for solar?
At about 3.65 peak sun hours a day, Victoria is one of the sunniest spots on the coast.
What does Peak Saver ask of my battery?
BC Hydro can draw on it during a few winter peak events, November to March, for up to four hours. You can opt out of events, but opting out of more than half may cost you the seasonal reward.
Can I get the battery rebate without solar?
Yes, but only if you enroll the battery in Peak Saver. Then the battery-only rebate can reach $5,000.
Is the Tesla Powerwall eligible?
No. Tesla batteries get $0 from BC Hydro and CleanBC.
Who can apply?
Owners of single-family homes, duplexes, townhomes and mobile homes connected to BC Hydro's grid.
What to do next
See Victoria heat pump rebates and every Victoria rebate.
By Sam Menard. Sources, last read October 3, 2026: BC Hydro solar and battery rebates, BC Hydro solar and battery rebate terms, BC Hydro ineligible products (Tesla), BC Hydro Peak Saver, Solar radiation, Open-Meteo historical archive 2020 to 2024, Statistics Canada 2021 Census, table 98-10-0233-01. All Victoria rebates → Every BC Hydro rebate →