Federal Greener Homes Grant

Learn more about the Canada Greener Homes Grant and how you can save thousands on your solar energy system.

June 23, 2022

Hakai is pleased to share general information about the Federal Greener Homes Programs. Please direct any specific questions to your Energy Advisor and Greener Homes program officers.

In May 2021, the federal government released the Greener Homes Grant Initiative, with aims to assist homeowners to complete energy retrofit projects and improve the efficiency of their homes. These retrofits contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and assist in reducing homeowners’ energy bills. The Federal Grant program’s overall value is $2.6 billion and has a timeline of 7 years.

As part of the Greener Homes Initiative, the Federal Government released a limited amount of interest free loans for up to $40,000, for qualified energy retrofit projects. Visit the Greener Homes Loan website to learn more about the loan program.

As part of the initiative, you can have access to:

  • up to $600 for pre- and post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluations and expert advice from an Energy Advisor
  • up to $5,000 total to help you make energy efficiency retrofits to your home

Please review the following steps with general information on how to apply for the Greener Homes Grant. The most up to date information is available on the Greener Homes Program page.

Greener Homes Grant

 

Step 1: Ensure your Project Qualifies

To get started, first, ensure your retrofits qualify for the grant. Solar Photovoltaic systems are included in the list of eligible retrofits, under the Renewables category.

  • The grant can only be applied to retrofits completed on a homeowner’s primary residence
  • Only one homeowner per home can register for the grant program.
  • New homes are not eligible for the grant. Newly built homes are defined as homes that are six months old or less, based on the date of occupancy by the first homeowner. This applies to homeowners at the time of application.

Note: The grant amount is pro-rated based on the added capacity to the house; for example, if you are adding 3.5 kW PV capacity to your home, you are eligible for a $3,500 grant. If you are adding a 5 kW or larger PV capacity to your home, you are eligible for the maximum $5,000 grant.

Step 2: Register and Apply to the Greener Homes Grant

Next you must register for the Canada Greener Homes Grant Program and book an EnerGuide evaluation (energy assessment) with an approved energy advisor.

To register, visit the NRCAN.gc.ca Greener Homes Program Page and click “Apply for the Canada Greener Homes Grant”.

Hakai cannot provide EnerGuide evaluations or reports. We are happy to direct you to an approved list of Energy Advisors. To find a list of approved energy advisors in your area, visit the BetterHomesBC.ca webpage.

Note: It is vital that if you would like to apply the Greener Homes Grant to your solar project, you need to ensure that your energy assessment is completed and the report confirms your eligibility, PRIOR to Hakai installing solar on your home. You can schedule your Hakai site survey prior to the energy assessment. Having solar installed and commissioned prior to your EnerGuide pre-retrofit assessment will void your eligibility for the Greener Homes Grant. Therefore, we recommend you book your energy assessment with your energy advisor, prior to scheduling your installation by Hakai.

Step 3: Hire Hakai to Install and commission your Solar System

After Hakai has completed your site survey, your pre-retrofit EnerGuide report proves your solar project is eligible for the grant, and you’ve accepted the proposal from Hakai, you are ready for the next step. Once we are given the green light, Hakai will begin the process to procure your materials, design, and install your solar photovoltaic system.

Note: The grant can fund $1,000 per kW of solar to a maximum of $5,000, essentially meaning the government will help with your first 5kW. To give an idea on your costs, in the Comox Valley, a 5kW system costs roughly $11,500 – $12,000, and qualifies for the maximum rebate, meaning you pay the difference, roughly $6,500 – $7,000 after the grant. A system of this size (5kW) produces around 5,500 kWh / year, which offsets ~30% – 50% of the average BC Homes power consumption.

Step 4: Book your Post-Retrofit EnerGuide Evaluation

Once you have completed your retrofits (Hakai has installed your solar system), you are ready to book your post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation and apply for the grant.

Note: Your Energy advisor may request all or some of the following information from Hakai to contribute to your grant application. We are happy to provide any of the following information required.

  • Proof of CSA approved materials
  • Solar module (panel) specifications, make and model numbers
  • Inverter type, specifications, efficiency rating, make and model number
  • Date of installation
  • Total installed system capacity
  • Peak power capacity
  • Total project cost
  • Size of Solar array (sq ft)
  • Proof of Hakai’s professional installation license

Sign into the same portal you used to register and book your pre-retrofit energy assessment.

Your energy advisor will complete the post-retrofit evaluation which will show how much energy has been saved, as a result of the retrofit project. This final report will include how much your energy advisor recommends you receive for the grant.

To ensure that your grant process is seamless, you must have all the following documents available to provide and upload to your online portal, which will be used to verify your eligible retrofits:

  • receipts for your pre-and post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluations completed by your Energy Advisor
  • all receipts and invoices from Hakai Energy
  • for grid-connected solar photovoltaic systems, a copy of the letter of approval or permission for inter-connection issued BC Hydro.

Step 5: Complete the Grant Process and Receive your Grant

The final step of the process is to receive your grant amount. Once the program officers have completed their review, you will be prompted to log into the portal to confirm your grant total and receive your grant.

At any time during this process, you can check the status of your paperwork and payment using the Canada Greener Homes Grant Portal or by calling 1-833-674-8282.