The HPSC co-hosted a webinar with BC Hydro on July 14, 2026. BC Hydro presented on recent changes to their Solar & Battery customer generation application process that came into effect on July 1, 2026.
Recording
Slides
Download a copy of the presentation slides here.
Contact Information
For questions or feedback about the Solar & Battery customer generation program, contact BC Hydro at
For questions about the Home Performance Contactor Network, contact the HPSC at:
- info@homeperformance.ca
- 604-755-3469 ext 0
- homeperformance.ca/HPCN
Q&A
The following questions were asked during the webinar, either live or in the Q&A chat box. We have edited some of the content for readability. If you’d like to hear the live questions in their unedited form, watch the recording above.
Tip: Press CTRL + F on your keyboard to search this page by keyword.
For any outstanding questions not answered here, refer to the contact information section above.
Technical
Q: What do you mean by “per phase”. What is the definition of a phase?
A: “Per phase” means the maximum amount of power that can be exported to the grid on each electrical phase individually; for example, a limit of 100 kW per phase allows up to 300 kW total net injection on a balanced three-phase system (100 kW × 3 phases).
Q: Are Enphase microinverters considered micro-grid inverters?
A: A micro-inverter is an inverter installed on each solar panel to convert DC power to AC power and is not necessarily a “micro-grid inverter”. A “micro-grid inverter” would be an inverter that also has microgrid-forming capabilities. For example, Enphase IQ8AC-72M-US and/or IQ8MC-72-M-US are micro-inverters with microgrid-forming software.
Q: With the change to net billing – can customers get a larger array above the typical ~110% sizing to try to get a full bill offset now that kwh credited at 10 cents no longer reduce the bill to zero?
A: Yes, customers may oversize their solar PV system, provided the system remains within BC Hydro’s interconnection requirements (100 kW per phase or less exported to the grid).
Note: Some larger residential self-generation applications may require system improvement work (at no cost to the customer) to safely interconnect to the grid, which may result in additional processing time.
Q: What is the relevance of the DC rating on the system and why would that trigger load displacement?
A: Rebates are available for system sizes up to 100 kW AC system capacity. Above that load displacement incentive offers for large commercial and industrial customers may apply. Both the rebate and the incentive offers are designed to support customer load displacement; however, the simpler rebate offer is intended for smaller scale projects (mostly residential and small commercial). The 100 kW cut-off streams customers into the appropriate offer based on project size and type. AC vs. DC rating is not related to the load displacement potential of the project.
Q: We are still unclear why the DC rating of a system is being reviewed at all given the connected AC rating is the only thing the Grid will ever see. For example, 150 kW DC installed on a roof and connected through a 100 kW AC inverter is only a 100 kW system as far as the rid is concerned. The 150 kW DC is not a value that the grid or the loads in the building will ever see.
A: The AC capacity of the solar generation system is used to determine if the project is eligible for the solar and battery rebate or load displacement incentives. Projects of 100 kW AC or less may qualify for the solar and battery rebate, while projects over 100 kW AC may be eligible for commercial and industrial load displacement incentives, subject to applicable eligibility.
The DC capacity is used to calculate the solar and battery rebate amount (E.g. $1000/kW) and is consistent with the approach taken by many utility and government rebate programs for smaller-scale projects. In contrast, load displacement incentives for larger commercial and industrial projects are based on the system’s AC capacity.
Q: Are rebates calculated based on DC system size or AC size?
A: The rebate offer is available for projects up to 100 kW AC system size. The rebate amount payable is calculated as $1000/kW DC system size up to rebate maximums that apply per customer and project type. For larger commercial or industrial solar projects that may qualify for load displacement program incentives, the incentive calculation is based on the AC system size.
Peak Saver
Q: Will there be updates to the Peak Saver program as they have not updated in a few months. The chosen ones currently are not suitable for all projects
A: BC Hydro is currently reviewing our residential demand response (Peak Saver) strategy for battery storage systems to expand eligibility this fiscal year. Customers may be eligible to apply for a rebate-only eligible battery storage system (up to $1,500) toward the purchase and participate in Peak Saver Challenges.
New Construction
Q: Are there any updates on if customers can apply for Self-Generation before the permanent meter of a building is installed? Usually, the temp meter is registered to either the general contractor or other, not normally the end user responsible for the account. Can we still apply and transfer to the owner? Or is there another means to process this?
A: Accounts with a temporary meter may submit a self-generation application; however, we recommend applying once the permanent meter is installed, and a new BC Hydro account has been created and linked to the application. These applications are classified as complex and may require additional documentation throughout the application process. Additionally, solar and battery rebates cannot be confirmed or processed for temporary-meter accounts.
Note: Due to the manual and complex nature of new construction applications, processing times are expected to exceed standard timelines.
Q: At this time an application can’t be submitted for new construction when no meter number is available. Is there a separate application type available to file for these project types?
A: No, meter information is required as part of the self-generation application. However, for new construction projects you may apply using a temporary meter.
ROI
Q: What is the payback rate since it’s not net metering anymore and what % roughly is the loss going to be vs net metering?
A: For questions related to the net metering payout percentage and rate structure, please refer to the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) website, as they provide the most current and authoritative information on approved rates and regulatory decisions.
Billing
Q: For the benefitting customers – what happens when/if their community generation credits offset more than their residential monthly bill – does this ever get paid out as cash?
A: If the community generation credits are higher than the customer’s residential monthly bill, it will carry over as a monetary credit on their next invoice. The customer may also request a refund.
Q: How will this be shown on the community generation (host) bill, and will it still be held as credits? or paid back?
A: If the community generator (Host) opted into the optional BC Hydro Billing Service, the community generation bill will show a credit (generation) and a debit (transfer of credits to the benefitting members). Otherwise, there will just be a credit posted on the community generator account which they may request as a refund and distribute to benefiting customers themselves. If the credit balance is greater than $50.00, BC Hydro will refund the host. If the credit is less than $50, the remaining credits will be carried over.
Q: What is happening to customers with excess kwh credits generated before the rate schedule changes?
A: On June 30, 2026, any banked self-generation credits will be paid out using mid-C pricing (market price under the current 1289 net-metering rate which is $0.059/kWh), before the customer’s rate is transitioned to the new self-generation net-billing 2289 rate.
Since we do not have a full year’s historical data to calculate a new settlement value, this payout is based on the March 1, 2026, anniversary rate.
If a customer has multiple meters on the same account, does excess solar generation credits automatically offset all charges on the combined bill?
The credits will clear against any charges under the account on the invoice and will be deducted from the bill’s total balance.
Q: If a self-generation customer is paid more than their bill is in a year will B.C. hydro pay them for the extra amount as a cheque at year end?
A: Under the new RS 2289 Self-Generation Service Rate, any net generation exported to the grid is compensated at 10¢/kWh and credited to the customer’s account under a net billing approach. This means that net generation is compensated financially rather than banked as kWh credits. However, if there is a credit on the customer’s account on April 30th of each year, they may receive a refund.
Q: In an ‘adds-to’ meter scenario (2 meters, 1 account) that switch to net Billing, how will that work relative to exported amounts provided at 10 cents/kwh? Example, solar is on a detached garage/shop with minimal consumption. Solar attached to the shop to offset the house’s load. Will the customer be only provided 10 cents/kwh for all exported energy from the shop, or is it netted first across both meters?
A: In an adds-to metering scenario, the house meter and shop/garage meter are billed under one BC Hydro account, and all charges and credits are applied at the account level. Therefore, under RS 2289 Net Billing, any exported energy from the solar system would be credited at $0.10/kWh, and those credits would be used to offset charges from the entire account (including both meters) before any remaining account balance is calculated.
Q: I understand that customers will be paid for their excess power production monthly under the new rate schedule. How will they be paid?
A: Any excess generation will be converted into a dollar amount at $0.10/kWh each billing period and is then applied to the customer’s outstanding bill. It will clear against any charges on the bill and if there’s still a credit remaining, it will carry over to the next month. The customer can also request the credit to be transferred to another account or refund (cheque).
Q: Was the payout at the 10 cent rate or the mid c wholesale rate?
A: The payout that occurred on June 30, 2026, paid out any banked self-generation credits using the mid-C pricing (which is the market price under the current RS1289 net metering rate).
Q: For the community generation how much will B.C. hydro charge to manage distributing the credits?
A: The service will be provided at no cost for the first two years while BC Hydro gains experience with the program and evaluates the costs of providing the service.
Q: Can you confirm any credit above $50 in a bill would be paid out as cash to a customer?
A: For self-generation customers, all excess generation will be credited in monetary value on the bill to be carried forward on the next bill. Customers may also request a refund (cheque) throughout the year for any invoiced credits greater than $50.00.
For community-generation generators (hosts) that are opted into the optional BC Hydro Billing Service, the community generation bill will show a credit (generation) and a debit (transfer of credits to the benefitting members). Otherwise, the credit will be credited on the community generator account which they may request as a refund (cheque) and distribute to benefiting customers themselves. If the credit balance is greater than $50.00, BC Hydro will refund the host. If the credit is less than $50, the remaining credits will be carried over.
Customer Service
Q: Will there be a way to contact self generation or rebate team via phone instead of waiting for email?
A: Email is the best way to reach our team, as it helps ensure requests are handled in the appropriate order and prioritized accordingly.
Application Process
Q: Will you be able to edit applications and remove/add documents if there’s an error instead of having to contact self generation?
A: It would be best to submit a new application, as the MyHydro portal currently does not provide an option to edit an application once it has been submitted. Alternatively, if the changes are minor, you may email customer.generation@bchydro.com the updated information/documentation directly to us for review, and we can advise on the appropriate next steps.
Q: At what point of complexity are applications reviewed before installation versus customers being audited and declined multiple months after install?
A: All complex applications are reviewed by BC Hydro engineers before installation as part of the application and interconnection review process. The specific documentation requirements will depend on the complexity of the project, but the intent is to identify and address any technical concerns prior to installation. Projects that proceed without obtaining the necessary approvals may be subject to audit and could be found noncompliant after installation if they do not meet program or interconnection requirements.
Q: Can the customer (account holder) see the documents that are uploaded by the
HPSC Contractor when closing the application
A: Customers may log into their MyHydro account to view any documents that were initially uploaded (by the contractor or themselves) when submitting a self-generation application for technical acceptance. Any documents uploaded via the Solar & Battery Rebate Status Tracker will not be visible to the customer in MyHydro but will be visible to our Solar & Battery Rebate team.
Q: What is the average wait time for a simple application?
A: Generally, a simple application receives technical acceptance with 1 to 14 days. After the solar and/or battery storage system is installed, inter-connection approval is granted within 14 days* after valid inspection documents are uploaded. If the application is eligible for rebates, the average processing time is usually within 7 days after the solar and/or battery project passes inspection review but may take up to 60 days.
Please note that it is important to make sure your documents include all required information to avoid any processing delays. Learn more about the final paid invoice requirements for rebates.
Any customer still pending technical acceptance for over a month, please email customer.generation@bchydro.com.
Q: What’s the realistic timeline from application to Interconnection Approval for a Community Solar project?
A: The Interconnection Study Approval timeline for a Community Generation Solar PV project largely depends on the complexity of the project and its interconnection with the BC Hydro grid. It could take between 4-12 months.
Rebate & Incentives
Q: For projects in excess of 100KW per phase, can the customer apply for both the commercial rebate as well as an additional incentive for the load displacement portion (what will not be allowed to inject into the grid)?
A: No, customers are not eligible to receive both a rebate and a load displacement incentive under any circumstances. The commercial solar and battery rebates are only available for projects 100kW AC or less and load displacement incentives are for projects that are 100 kW AC or greater. Rebates are designed to support load displacement for smaller scale projects.