Grants for solar panels (Canada)

You aren’t the only one – I too feel responsible for our environment. As a realtor from Toronto, I certainly have been always very close to housing, which is why I am very interested in new green technologies. Today let’s discover what the Canadian government contribution is there for solar energy.

Solar energy?

As I said already, solar energy is very produce their own energy by nature-friendly means, the better for the environment. With the price of conventional power progressing fast, the green power ceased being as expensive as it used to be and many countries decided to aid its production and usage. Canada is one of them.

Preparation

Without the home energy audit you will not be suitable for receiving any grants, so let’s have a look at what needs to be done.
- Don’t start any renovation or installation work on your house before the home energy auditor’s visit should you wish to receive any grants.
- You have to complete all the repairs within 18 months since the auditor’s visit.
- To make sure you get all the grants you’d like to, don’t forget to keep all the receipts and technical documentation of everything you buy for the renovations plus take photos during the process.
-Don’t forget to book your follow-up appointment, which is an important part of the Energy Audit. You will not be able to receive any grants without it.

A note about the cost: The home energy audit will cost you at least $498.75 (first visit $341.25, the second visit $157.50, inc. GST) or a little more (depends on the sq ft of your home). The government will refund you $150 towards the cost of the first evaluation visit.

The state grants

The government decided to back up both photovoltaic (solar energy converted directly into electricity) and solar thermal (solar energy is used to heat water) systems. There’s a nice sum of up to $500 from the federal government, should you choose a system that is in compliance with the CAN/CSA standards. You don’t need to hurry up yet, since the grant is available until the end of March 2011. But the federal grant is not all you can get: the Ontario government will much the federal grant so you can get up to $1000. You also have a choice to claim a refund of the 8% RST from the Ontario government.

If you’re thinking of claiming the RST, you better hurry up – you can claim it only on equipment purchased until the end of this year.