BC Hydro's solar and battery rebate program has been running since mid-2024, and the rebate amounts have stayed the same: up to $5,000 for an eligible solar panel system and up to $5,000 more for a paired battery storage system. What changed on June 1, 2026 is who can help a customer access them. As of that date, installations must be completed by a member of the Home Performance Contractor Network (HPCN) for the rebate application to qualify. If you're not a member, your customers are leaving up to $10,000 on the table.
What the Rebates Cover
The BC Hydro program is open to residential customers, businesses, multi-family buildings, and social housing. For residential installs, the program offers up to $5,000 on eligible grid-connected solar panels and up to an additional $5,000 for a battery storage system paired with solar. The application runs through BC Hydro's self-generation program, and customers need technical pre-approval before equipment is purchased or installed.
The rebate amounts haven't changed. The certification requirement sitting in front of them has.
What HPCN Membership Actually Involves
The HPCN is administered by the Home Performance Stakeholder Council, the same organization that manages contractor networks for heat pumps, insulation, and windows and doors in BC. The Solar & Battery sector opened for registration in October 2025 and remains open now.
There is no fee to join, and there are currently no training costs for the Solar & Battery sector. The requirements are business documentation: a valid business licence, WorkSafeBC clearance, general liability insurance, and proof of warranty. Contractors also complete reference checks and sign a network agreement covering ethical business practices and customer service standards. At least one lead installer and one designer per crew need to complete the program training. Subcontractors are not covered under a company's membership; the company must directly employ its installers.
Once approved, members are listed in a public search tool on both the HPCN and CleanBC websites, giving homeowners looking for a qualified installer a direct path to your business.
If You're Already in the HPCN
Contractors already registered in another HPCN sector, such as HVAC or insulation, don't need to start from scratch. Logging into an existing HPCN profile and selecting "Enroll in a new Sector" is all it takes to extend membership to cover solar and battery installs.
For contractors new to the network entirely, here is the application.
The Practical Reality
For a homeowner in BC considering solar, the rebate is a meaningful part of the financial case for the project. The certification requirement isn't going away, and the process to meet it is straightforward. The only thing standing between most contractors and rebate-eligible installs is completing the paperwork.
If you have questions about what's changing in BC or want to talk through how to support your customers through these programs, let us know! We are happy to chat.