Purchase of solar panels Subsidies for individuals more generous than expected

Now we know the form that the new Hydro-Québec subsidy will require for the purchase of solar panels, a year after the announcement. Overall, this can be up to 40 % of the total cost of panels, which is a significant change for the consumer account.

The crown company presented details at the very end of the press release released last Thursday.

“Since 2026, the new financial support will be $ 1,000 for each kilowatt installed, subject to a maximum of 40 % of the total installation cost”, details of Hydro-Quebec.

This assistance could be $ 5,000 for the middle house. Generally, this project includes $ 10 to 15 solar panels and the total account is $ 15,000 and $ 20,000, specifies Jean-Pierre Croteau, Director, Residential Energy in Hydro-Quebec.

“At first glance, it’s better than what was advanced, so it was very well received on our side,” said Frédéric Lavoie, CEO of Alt-Energy.

In August 2024, Crown Corporation suggested that it is necessary to assess the amount of grant, but that it could represent approximately 10 to 15 % of the installation.

But according to Quebec solar energy – an organization whose mandate is to promote the use of solar energy in Quebec – this ratio was not sufficiently interesting in the eyes of consumers in finding profitability^⁠1.

“Regardless of the type of grant if we have a return on investment (for installation of solar panels), which is less than 10 years old, we are winnerThere will work there, ”explained Patrick Goulet, President of the Organization, during the meeting with Hydro-Quebec at the end of May.” It was really necessary for the aim of the subsidy, ” Printing.

Take this example: The Hydro-Quebec website contains a type of installation that includes 16 photovoltaic solar panels of 300 watts. With only 15 %, the project would be profitable after … about 23 years.

However, according to the Crown Company platform, the life of solar panels is 20 to 30 years and on the roof for 20 years. Some users should therefore have to replace their panels or even move before they get into their investment.

By covering a maximum of 40 % of the installation, the threshold value of the photovoltaic panels would reduce by almost half, approximately 10 to 12 years, Hydro-Québec said.

After analyzing the impact of the grant on the basis of various costs on the cost and increased electricity price, solar energy believes that the target for the residential sector will not reach its recommendation, less than 10 years.

However, the number of years before gaining a return on its investment depends on several factors, such as panel technology, selected manufacturer or space available on the roof.

And the battery?

The detection of the form of subsidies was eagerly awaited in solar energy companies in Quebec. “The price is absolutely issue 1, often, we have always had questions for customers,” Lavoie from Alt-Energy said.

Sébastien Caron, President and founder of Volts Energies, who designs and produces solar energy systems for 23 years, has recorded a grant. He even considers it interesting for someone who tries to be profitable with a simple photovoltaic system.

“On the other hand, if we come to put batteries there, it’s more expensive,” he emphasizes. Buying batteries is not essential for the proper functioning of solar panels, but their supplementation makes it possible to store the energy produced during the large sunlight period and eventually prevent electricity failure and to reduce the pressure on the electrical network.

For Hydro-Quebec, the main goal with this announcement is achieved. “We see that people are beginning to prove some interest (for storage), but it’s really in its beginnings,” said Jean-Pierre Croteau.

Request for admission in 2026

Target Hydro-Quebec: 125,000 installations by 2035. For now, it has less than 1,000 residences already solar panels.

“Our wishes are for people to go, but we do not want to create a tidal wave because we need to structure the market,” says Croteau.

Last May, companies expressed their concerns about this possibility in the installation of photovoltaic systems^⁠2. Therefore, training is being prepared, behind the scenes, which will acquire accreditation to install solar panels, confirmed Mr. Caron.

“They will also be profitable who will improvise solar installer overnight. We want to avoid this, says Sébastien Caron. It is possible that a lot of products are coming on the market, but that they do not have certifications that hydro-qébec requirements.

Another element: The grant applies to individuals, but also to companies. For an average commercial building, this assistance could be a total assistance of $ 40,500, notes Hydro-Quebec in its press release.

Quebec solar energy believes that it would be advantageous that these types of buildings would adapt more to their specific needs. “At present, it seems to us that the” individual size “approach is the most effective,” concludes Patrick Goulet.

1. Read our file “Pavsed, solar panels?” »»

2. Read “Solar Panels:” It’s fun, but who will install? “» »