☀️ Peak sun hours in Canada
Canada's sun varies by region — roughly 3 to 4.5 peak sun hours. The Prairies are sunniest; the coasts and far north lower.
| Region | Approx. peak sun hours (annual avg) |
|---|---|
| Prairies (Alberta, Saskatchewan) | ~4.0 – 4.5 |
| Ontario & Quebec (south) | ~3.5 – 4.0 |
| Atlantic Canada | ~3.3 – 3.8 |
| British Columbia (coast) | ~3.0 – 3.5 |
| Far north | ~2.8 – 3.3 |
Use your local figure in the solar panel calculator and the energy production calculator. Background: peak sun hours by location.
⚡ Electricity prices in Canada
Electricity prices swing widely by province — roughly CAD 0.10 to 0.18 per kWh. It's cheap where there's abundant hydro (Quebec, BC, Manitoba) and more expensive in Ontario, Alberta and the Maritimes. Solar pays back fastest in the higher-priced provinces.
💸 Incentives & net metering
Most provinces offer net metering, crediting exported energy against your bill. Federal support has included the Canada Greener Homes program (grants and interest-free loans), and some provinces/utilities add their own rebates. Programs change, so check the current federal and provincial offerings before you buy.
💰 System cost & payback in Canada
Installed prices are around CAD 2.50–3.50 per watt before any rebates:
| System size | Approx. cost | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| 5 kW | ~CAD 12,500 – 17,500 | Typical home |
| 7.5 kW | ~CAD 18,000 – 26,000 | Larger home |
| 10 kW | ~CAD 25,000 – 35,000 | Large home / high usage |
Work out your own numbers with the ROI calculator and the bill savings calculator, or design the whole system with the system report builder.
💡 Local insight: Canada
The deciding factor in Canada is your provincial electricity price, not the sunshine. In high-tariff provinces (parts of Ontario, the Maritimes) solar pays back in a reasonable time; in cheap-hydro provinces (Quebec, BC) the payback can be long even though the panels produce fine. Check your net-metering terms and any current rebates before committing.
🧰 Solar tools
Plan your system with these:
- Solar panel calculator — how many panels for your usage and sun hours.
- Solar bill savings calculator — how much you'll save.
- ROI calculator — payback period.
- Battery calculator — if you want backup.
- Full system report — design the whole system in one page.
Related reading: do solar panels work in winter, how many panels to run a house, and grid-tied vs off-grid vs hybrid.
❓ Frequently asked questions
How many peak sun hours does Canada get?
About 3 to 4.5. The Prairies (Alberta, Saskatchewan) are sunniest at ~4–4.5 — more than Germany — while the coasts are around 3–3.5.
Is solar worth it in Canada?
It depends on your province. In high-electricity-price provinces yes; in cheap-hydro provinces (Quebec, BC) payback is long. Net metering and rebates improve the case.
Does Canada have net metering?
Yes, most provinces offer net metering. Federal programs like Canada Greener Homes have also offered grants and interest-free loans — check current availability.
How much does solar cost in Canada?
Roughly CAD 2.50–3.50 per watt, so about CAD 12,500–17,500 for a 5 kW system before rebates. Get local quotes.
Note: Canadian electricity prices, net-metering rules and rebate programs vary by province and change over time. These figures are approximate, for planning only — verify with your utility and a local installer.