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Rebate announced for rooftop solar panel installations in B.C.

Up to $10,000 in rebates for eligible B.C. homeowners.
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According to our research, covering just 16 per cent of built-up land (rooftops, for example) in solar panels, or seven per cent of the land now used for oil and gas projects, would deliver enough electricity to fully decarbonize the Canadian grid.

BC Hydro will start giving out rebates of up to $10,000 for rooftop solar and battery-storage systems.

Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, was joined by Henry Yao, MLA for Richmond South Centre, and Chris O'Riley, president of BC Hydro, on Thursday at Richmond Secondary School for this announcement.

The goal is to make it easier for people and businesses to generate their own electricity while reducing their energy bills and delivering clean energy back to the electricity grid.

“We need more clean energy to power our homes, businesses and industries, to power a growing economy and to power our future,” said Osborne.

Eligible homeowners can get BC Hydro rebates of up to $10,000 for installing a solar power system and a battery storage system together.

BC Hydro will also roll out targeted rebates for apartment buildings, schools, community organizations, local governments, small businesses, social housing providers and Indigenous communities up to $150,000.

Rebates will be available in late July.

The ministry said it's spending more than $700 million over the next three years in BC Hydro's energy efficiency programs. It's estimated this will save B.C. residents and businesses about $80 million every year starting in 2026.

BC Hydro's updated 10-year capital plan includes around $40 million in capital investments and is looking at creating 14,000 construction jobs every year.

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