Canada Greener Homes Loan Closed: Federal Solar Rebate and Incentive Status

Key Takeaways

• The federal Canada Greener Homes Grant of up to $5,000 is closed and no longer accepting new applicants.
• The Canada Greener Homes Loan of up to $40,000 interest-free financing is closed and no longer accepting new applicants.
• The CMHC EcoPlus program continues to offer a 25% mortgage loan insurance premium refund for energy-efficient homes.
• Clean Energy Improvement Programs (CEIP/PACE) and provincial incentives have replaced federal financing pathways.
• All solar arrays must comply with the National Building Code of Canada 2020 (NBC 2020) and Canadian Electrical Code Section 64.

Current Federal Status: Greener Homes Grant closed and Greener Homes Loan closed

The federal Canada Greener Homes initiative was the most expansive residential clean energy decarbonization campaign in Canadian history. The initiative provided over $4.5 billion in federal energy efficiency investments across Canadian households, driving unprecedented residential solar adoption.

However, prospective solar adopters must understand the current program availability:

• Federal Grant Status: The Canada Greener Homes Grant of up to $5,000 is closed and no longer accepting new applicants as of February 2024.
• Federal Loan Status: The Canada Greener Homes Loan of up to $40,000 interest-free over 10 years is closed and no longer accepting new loan applications as of February 2024.
• Existing Pipeline: Homeowners with approved pre-retrofit EnerGuide home energy assessments submitted prior to closure deadlines continue to have their retrofit funding disbursed upon final post-retrofit verification.

With both flagship federal initiatives concluded, property owners must look to provincial rebates, municipal clean energy loans, and mortgage insurance refunds to finance solar adoption.

Active Financing Alternatives: CMHC EcoPlus and Municipal CEIP/PACE

Despite the closure of the Greener Homes programs, attractive financing alternatives remain accessible across Canada:

1. CMHC EcoPlus Mortgage Premium Refund

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) delivers the EcoPlus program to encourage climate-friendly home purchases and retrofits:

• Financial Value: CMHC EcoPlus 25% mortgage loan insurance premium refund remains available for energy-efficient homes.
• Eligibility Criteria: Homes that achieve high EnerGuide energy ratings or incorporate renewable solar energy generation qualifying for elite energy performance tiers are eligible.
• Application Window: Homeowners can apply within 24 months of the mortgage closing date.

2. Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP / PACE)

Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing, known as the Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP) in Alberta and Saskatchewan, provides property-linked capital:

• Low-Interest Financing: Municipalities finance up to 100% of solar installation costs through competitive low-interest loans.
• Property Tax Repayment: Financing is repaid through a clean energy charge on regular municipal property taxes.
• Transferable Obligation: If the home is sold, the remaining loan balance transfers with the property to the next buyer.

Building Code Compliance: National Building Code of Canada 2020

Installing solar modules alters the structural loading, snow accumulation patterns, and fire dynamics of residential and commercial roofs. All solar installations must adhere to the National Building Code of Canada 2020 (NBC 2020).

The NBC 2020 represents Canada's comprehensive engineering benchmark:

• Authoritative Mandate: Published under the title National Building Code of Canada 2020 - National Research Council Canada.
• Distribution Channel: Codes and user's guides published by the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) are available directly through the NRC virtual store.
• Joint Development: The Building Code of Canada (NBC) 2020 developed by the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes and published by the National Research Council of Canada.
• Scope of Application: Sets out technical requirements for the design and construction of new buildings as well as the alteration change of use and demolition of existing buildings.
• Safety Advancements: Technical changes have been incorporated in this new edition improving the level of safety health accessibility fire and structural protection.
• Emerging Technologies: The standard advances clean energy by expanding the NBC into new areas.
• Jurisdictional Role: Installers must consult authorities: to determine which code applies in your jurisdiction check with the municipal provincial or territorial official.
• Agricultural Standards: Technical requirements for large farm buildings are added which address fire protection occupant safety structural sufficiency.
• Efficiency Benchmarks: Modern energy performance tiers are established to provide a framework for achieving higher energy efficiency.
• Code Reference: Governed under the National Building Code of Canada 2020.

Electrical Safety and Section 64 Interconnection

In addition to structural NBC 2020 compliance, solar arrays must satisfy Canadian Electrical Code (CSA C22.1) Section 64 requirements, including Rule 64-218 rapid shutdown for rooftop arrays.

Homeowners evaluating solar economics should review our detailed analysis on solar panels cost and payback by province and investigate provincial programs like Ontario Net Metering.