Solar Panel Calculator for Canada
Rooftop solar keeps growing across Canada as electricity rates climb. This free solar calculator estimates your system size, payback and 25-year savings in Canadian dollars using your provincial electricity rate and local sun hours.
Calculate my solar payback in Canada →
Solar at a glance in Canada
Payback depends heavily on your province's electricity rate — higher-rate provinces see noticeably faster returns.
| Currency | Canadian dollars (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Typical electricity rate | C$ 0 per kWh |
| Installed cost | ≈ C$ 3 per watt |
| Peak sun hours | ≈ 3.8 hours/day |
| Export / buyback | ≈ C$ 0 per kWh |
Indicative 2026 starting points — every figure is editable in the calculator, and results depend on your own bill, roof and installer quotes.
A typical 5 kW system in Canada
At around C$ 3 per watt, a 5 kW rooftop system costs roughly C$ 15,000 and produces about 5,409 kWh in its first year at Canada's 3.8 peak sun hours a day. Your real numbers depend on your roof, shading, panel choice and how much power you use during the day — run your own figures in the calculator to see your exact payback, net savings and ROI.
How the solar calculator works
- Your setup. Canada and Canadian dollars are pre-selected, with local electricity rate, install cost and sun hours filled in. Enter your monthly bill, or size the system from your appliances.
- Your roof. Search your address or tap “use my location”, then draw your roof on the satellite map — or just type its area. We check the system fits and read local sun hours from NASA data.
- Your results. Instantly see your payback period, net savings, ROI, system size, year-1 production and lifetime CO₂ offset — compare cash vs. a loan, and download a PDF report.
Common questions — solar in Canada
How many solar panels do I need in Canada?
It depends on your electricity use, roof space and local sun hours (about 3.8 peak sun hours/day here). A 5 kW system of high-wattage panels is a common starting point for a home — enter your bill or appliances and the calculator gives your exact panel count and system size.
Does Canada have net metering?
Net metering is offered by most provincial utilities, letting you bank surplus generation as credits against later consumption; the details vary by province and utility.
Are there solar subsidies or incentives in Canada?
The federal Canada Greener Homes Grant closed in 2024, so there is no broad national cash grant right now, though some provinces and utilities run their own rebates or financing. Enter any rebate you qualify for in the calculator.
How much does a solar system cost in Canada?
A typical 5 kW system is around C$ 15,000 at about C$ 3 per watt installed. Your net cost depends on any provincial or utility rebate — the calculator prices your own size.
Work out your system size
Not sure how big a system you need? These guides work back from your monthly usage:
500 kWh/month 1,000 kWh/month 1,500 kWh/month 2,000 kWh/month 2,500 kWh/month 3,000 kWh/month
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