Manitoba Hydro Net Billing Guide: Excess Energy Rates and Rebates

Key Takeaways

• Manitoba Hydro operates a Net Billing program for generators less than 100 kW in size.
• Surplus electricity exported to the grid is purchased at the Excess Energy Price of $0.07173/kWh until March 31, 2027.
• Efficiency Manitoba offers residential rebates up to $5,000 ($0.50/W) and commercial rebates up to $25,000 ($0.75/W).
• Homeowners can finance installations through Manitoba Hydro's Home Energy Efficiency Loan.
• All solar photovoltaic installations require electrical permits and CSA C22.1 Section 64 safety compliance.

Manitoba Hydro Net Billing vs. Net Metering

In Manitoba, customer-sited electricity generation operates under a Net Billing structure rather than 1:1 net metering. This distinction is critical for prospective solar owners to understand when designing their systems.

Under Net Billing rules, if you are generating more energy than you are using and your generator is less than 100 kW in size your excess energy can be sold back to us at the excess energy price using net billing.

The billing mechanism operates on two separate meters:

• Consumption Billing: All electricity consumed from the grid is billed at Manitoba Hydro's standard residential electricity rate of approximately 9.5 cents per kWh.
• Surplus Energy Purchase: All surplus energy exported to the grid is credited at the published Excess Energy Price. The excess energy price is $0.07173/ kWh until March 31 2027. This price is updated yearly and reflects the current market value.
• Annual Value Fluctuation: The utility cautions that the excess energy price will change from year to year and can vary significantly depending on the market value of excess energy exported to wholesale export markets.
• Historical Baseline: Reflecting long-term hydro export values, the historical average since 2018 is $0.04272, while the current excess energy price is $0.07173/kWh.
• Large Generators: If your generator is 100 kW or greater in size your purchase price will be determined on a case-by-case basis under bilateral utility agreements.
• Published Rate Table: Manitoba Hydro maintains an official prices effective date excess energy price ($/kWh) schedule for consumer reference.

Efficiency Manitoba Solar Photovoltaic Rebates

To accelerate adoption and offset equipment costs, Efficiency Manitoba delivers substantial provincial clean energy incentives:

• Residential Rebate: We offer rebates up to $5000 per home to install a solar PV system. This incentive provides $0.50 per Watt DC for qualifying grid-tied installations.
• Commercial Incentive: We offer a rebate of $0.75 per watt to install a solar PV system for commercial properties, with commercial solar installations in Manitoba eligible for rebates up to $25,000.
• Grid Connection Scope: We offer rebates on solar photovoltaic (PV) systems for homes and businesses connected to Manitoba Hydro’s grid.
• Program Linkage: Homeowners and businesses may qualify for an Efficiency Manitoba rebate (efficiencymb.ca) when applying through registered installation contractors.

Payback Modeling and Utility Financing Options

Because Manitoba's retail electricity rate (~9.5¢/kWh) is among the lowest in North America, payback periods require accurate calculation.

Manitoba Hydro outlines the exact formula: calculate the payback period divide the total cost of your system from step 1 by your annual financial savings. To assist with initial capital expenditures, qualifying homeowners may be eligible for financing to assist with the cost of installation through our Home Energy Efficiency Loan. This allows homeowners to repay solar installation costs directly through monthly utility bills.

While federal Greener Homes Grant and Loan programs are closed to new applicants, combining Efficiency Manitoba's $5,000 grant with the utility efficiency loan and $0.07173/kWh buyback creates an economically viable path to clean energy. For national comparisons, explore our guide to solar panels cost and payback by province.

Electrical Permitting and Technical Interconnection

Before energizing any distributed generation system, customers must satisfy strict electrical safety standards. Installers must obtain an electrical permit from Manitoba Hydro or the City of Winnipeg (depending on jurisdiction).

Installations must satisfy Canadian Electrical Code (CSA C22.1) Section 64, including Rule 64-218 rapid shutdown for rooftop arrays. Rapid shutdown ensures that emergency first responders can immediately de-energize rooftop solar arrays to safe low-voltage thresholds.