Solar Photovoltaic (PV) incentives
What is a solar photovoltaic (PV), behind-the-meter, and load displacement
Solar PV systems convert sunlight into electrical energy that can offset the electricity consumption for your commercial building.
Behind-the-meter generation refers to technologies that generate energy that are located on the customer’s end of the utility meter, and include solar PV systems.
Load displacement occurs when the electricity generated from a solar PV system is used exclusively to meet the commercial building’s electricity consumption needs.
Why go solar?
Reduce costs by lowering metered energy consumption
Generate clean, renewable energy year-round
Decrease greenhouse gas emissions1
1Any references to energy savings, cost savings or greenhouse gas reductions are based on the assumption that participants are reducing their energy use through the Retrofit program.
Eligibility
Incentives are available for any commercial, industrial and institutional participants who are interested in behind-the-meter solar installations to displace their load and reduce their demand on the grid under Prescriptive Retrofit stream. Solar PV must be mounted on new or existing building rooftop(s) or walls.
Building owners or lessees of commercial spaces including but not limited to below are eligible (lessees must have owner’s consent or authorization to participate):
- large offices, malls and shopping centres
- commercial spaces with parking lot canopies
- municipal buildings, universities, colleges, schools, hospitals
- hotels, multi-residential buildings
- industrial facilities
Categories
Two categories of eligible solar PV systems:
1
Micro-generation for PV installations that are up to 10kW at $1,000/kW-DC.
2
Small/medium generation for PV installations that are greater than 10kW-AC, up to 1MW-AC, at $860/kW-AC.
Systems larger than 1,000 kW AC can be eligible; however, the incentive amount will be capped at 1,000 kW AC and at 50% of total eligible project costs (including labour and materials).
How it works
General process
- Contact your local distribution company (LDC) to discuss the connection process and the allowable maximum capacity of the solar PV system
- Sign up for a Retrofit Portal account, if you do not already have an account, as an account is required to submit a Retrofit application to apply for any incentives under the program
- Complete worksheet and submit a Retrofit application for review through the Save on Energy Retrofit portal and receive an application pre-approval
- A Retrofit application must be submitted before entering into a binding commitment for the solar PV project to be eligible for a Retrofit incentive (e.g., purchase order for solar PV must not be issued before a Retrofit application is submitted)
- Receive approval to connect from your LDC and install your project
- Receive approval from Save on Energy for your post-project Retrofit application and Retrofit incentive invoice
Deadlines
To qualify for a Retrofit incentive, you must complete the steps above no later than 24 months after your Retrofit application is pre-approved.
LDCs: grid connection authority to approve solar PV connection to grid
SOE Representative/Vendor: Retrofit application review and approval
Applicant: building owner/lessee implementing solar PV, receives incentive
Contact
For Retrofit inquiries and application support:
Retrofit Support Services
- Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.: 1-844-303-5542 or retrofit@ieso.ca
For grid connection inquiries:
LDC contacts
- Contacts for Ontario LDCs