Complete decision guide with real payback numbers for BC homes. Solar only? Battery only? Both at once? Here's the math.
You have ~$6,500 in BC rebates available for solar + battery (combined).
The question: Maximize savings by doing solar first + battery later? Or go all-in with both now?
Short answer: It depends on your goals. Solar + battery together give you the best total ROI, but solar-only has a faster payback if cash flow matters.
✓ Pros:
✗ Cons:
Real example (Vancouver, 6kW solar):
• Cost: $15,000 → After $9K rebate = $6,000 net
• Year 1 savings: $1,200
• Payback: 5 years
• Year 10 savings: $12,000
✓ Pros:
✗ Cons:
Real example (Vancouver, 10kWh battery):
• Cost: $12,000 → After $1,500 rebate = $10,500 net
• Year 1 savings: $1,200 (time-of-use optimization)
• Payback: 8.75 years
• Year 10 savings: $12,000
✓ Pros:
✗ Cons:
Real example (Vancouver, 6kW solar + 10kWh Eguana battery):
• Cost: $23,000 → After $10,500 rebate = $12,500 net
• Year 1 savings: $2,400 (solar + battery optimization)
• Payback: 5.2 years
• Year 10 savings: $24,000 + backup power value
| Metric | Solar Only | Battery Only | Solar + Battery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront (after rebate) | $6,000 | $10,500 | $12,500 |
| Year 1 savings | $1,200 | $1,200 | $2,400 |
| Payback period | 5 years | 8.75 years | 5.2 years |
| 10-year total savings | $12,000 | $12,000 | $24,000 |
| Backup power in outage? | ❌ No | ✓ Yes (36 hrs) | ✓ Yes (36 hrs) |
| Peak pricing optimization? | ❌ No | ✓ Yes (Eguana) | ✓ Yes (Eguana) |
TL;DR: Batteries just got smarter under the new BC Hydro net billing rate.
Starting July 1, 2026, BC Hydro pays 10¢/kWh for excess power. Smart batteries like Eguana Evolve can now automatically discharge during peak hours (4–9pm) to maximize earnings.
This makes battery + solar even more valuable. You're not just saving energy; you're making money by timing when you export power.
Battery-only ROI improved ~15% under Schedule 2289. Solar + Battery ROI improved ~20%.
Bottom line: If you're deciding between solar only and solar + battery, the new Schedule 2289 tips the scales toward getting both. The extra $1,200+/year from battery time-of-use optimization is real money.
Most BC homeowners finance 70–80% and pay 20–30% down.
| Path | Down | Finance | Monthly (0%) | Monthly Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solar only | $1,200 | $4,800 | $267 | $100 |
| Solar + Battery | $2,500 | $10,000 | $556 | $200 |
Key: Most homeowners get 0% financing for 18–24 months from installers. After that, rates go to 7–9%. Monthly savings usually cover or exceed your payment.