Solar Panel Installation in Vancouver
Let your roof pay your electricity bill
At MJR Electric, we provide solar panel installation for homes, stratas and businesses across Metro Vancouver.
From $2.20/watt, with everything including rebates handled for you.
BC Hydro HPCN Registered
Red Seal Certified
$5M Liability Insurance
Is Solar Worth It in Vancouver?
Solar panels generate electricity from daylight, not direct sunshine.
Did you know Germany gets considerably less sunlight than Vancouver but has built one of the largest solar industries in the world? Vancouver’s climate is not the barrier most people assume.
What actually determines whether solar makes sense for your home comes down to three things:
- Your roof size, orientation, and condition
- Your current electricity usage
- Whether you want to stay connected to BC Hydro or want backup power during outages
BC Hydro rates have been going up steadily. Every unit your solar system produces is a unit you’re not buying from the grid – and that adds up. Many of our clients see their bills drop significantly. Some get them close to zero. It depends on your setup, and we’ll give you an honest picture of what’s realistic for your home specifically.
One thing worth knowing right now:
From July 1, 2026, BC Hydro is changing how it pays for surplus solar power – from banked credits to 10 cents per unit exported, paid each billing cycle. If you’re considering solar, it’s worth getting an assessment soon so you understand what that change means for your situation.
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Vancouver?
Typical rates are
$2.20–$3.00 per watt installed – all in.
To give you a sense of scale: the average Vancouver home uses enough electricity to need a system in the 6 kW to 8 kW range – roughly 18 to 24 panels on your roof. At our rates, that puts most residential jobs between $13,200 and $24,000 before rebates.
A system that size is typically enough to cover most or all of an average home’s electricity use – the average Vancouver household uses around 900–1,100 kWh per month and pays around $100–$120 on BC Hydro. Many of our clients bring that close to zero after solar.
Find out if solar makes financial sense
for your home or business
Estimates based on MJR Electric's $2.20 - $3.00/watt pricing, 1,007 kWh/kW annual production in Vancouver, 2026 BC Hydro rebates, and PST exemption. Financing shown at 0% over 15 years. Battery cost estimate assumes approx. $12,000 for a standard system. Actual costs vary by roof, panel count, and site conditions.
These are estimates. Book a free site assessment and we'll give you exact numbers based on your actual roof, usage, and setup.
Book a free solar assessmentWhat moves the number up or down:
- Roof type and how straightforward the installation is
- System size based on your actual usage
- Whether you’re adding battery backup
- Whether your electrical panel needs an upgrade first
We use LONGi panels — one of the highest watt-per-metre output panels available — mounted on Fast Rack racking systems, which are simple to install and low impact on your roof.
After rebates and the PST exemption on qualifying equipment, the out-of-pocket cost is lower. We’ll walk you through the numbers after we see your property – no obligation.
BC Hydro Solar Rebates & Incentives (2026)
We are a registered BC Hydro HPCN member, so your installation qualifies for rebates.
From June 1, 2026, BC Hydro requires installations to be completed by a registered Home Performance Contractor Network (HPCN) member for rebates to apply. Current rebates available:
| Who | Solar Panels | Battery Storage |
|---|---|---|
| Homeowners | Up to $5,000 | Separate rebate available |
| Stratas / Multi-family | Available for common areas | Available |
| Businesses | Up to $5,000 | Separate rebate available |
PST exemption
Solar panels, inverters, and related equipment are PST-exempt in BC – usually saves a few hundred to over a thousand dollars on hardware alone.
The federal Canada Greener Homes programs are closed. BC Hydro rebates and the PST exemption are what’s available right now in BC.
Two Types of Solar – Which One Is Right for You?
Grid-tie Solar
most common
Your panels generate power during the day. Your home uses that power first.
Anything left over goes to BC Hydro’s network through net metering, and you get paid for it.
You stay connected to BC Hydro – so if the grid goes down, your solar system shuts off too (it’s a safety requirement).
This is the simpler, more affordable option and the right starting point for most Vancouver homeowners.
Ideal For: homeowners focused on reducing their BC Hydro bill, rentals, and stratas.
Grid-tie Solar
with Battery Backup
Same, but with a battery added.
Your excess solar power charges the battery first. If BC Hydro’s grid goes down, your battery keeps your home running.
This costs more upfront and takes longer to pay back – but if having power during outages matters to you, it’s worth considering.
Not sure which one you need?
The first question we ask is: What do you actually need this system to do? If staying warm and keeping the lights on during the occasional outage matters, a battery makes sense. If you mainly want to reduce your bill, grid-tie on its own is the better value.
We’ve installed solar panels across Vancouver – Kitsilano, Kerrisdale, Fairview, Main Street, South Granville, UBC – and out through West Vancouver from Park Royal to Caufield.
Commercial and Strata Solar
Bigger systems, more permit steps, more people to coordinate with – strata and commercial solar takes more managing than a residential job.
We work directly with GCs, strata councils, and property managers. We handle the design, permits, BC Hydro connection, and rebate paperwork. You don’t need to chase us for updates – we keep things moving.
If you’re a business looking to cut overhead or a strata exploring options for common areas or parkades, get in touch, and we’ll scope it out together.
Something Most Installers Don’t Bring Up
Before we order anything or put a single panel on your roof, we check whether your roof structure and trusses are actually rated to carry the roof load.
Most installers skip this – or don’t mention it until it becomes a problem mid-job. We flag it at the assessment stage, before you’ve committed to anything. If there’s an issue with your roof, you’ll know upfront, and you can decide how to handle it. No surprises halfway through.
It’s not a complicated thing – it just needs to be checked.
What Our Vancouver Solar Installation Includes
Site visit
Roof check, structural assessment, shading analysis, and a look at your existing electrical system
Structural review
Trusses and roof load confirmed before anything is ordered
Engineering sign-off
Included, as required by BC code
Permits
We manage the City of Vancouver electrical and building permits, and Technical Safety BC filings
Installation
All work done by licensed Red Seal electricians. We carry $5M liability insurance and full WCB coverage
BC Hydro connection
We handle the paperwork to get your system connected
Rebate application
We help with the BC Hydro rebate paperwork as part of the job
Frequently Asked Questions.
Do solar panels actually work in Vancouver's cloudy weather?
Yes – panels run on daylight, not direct sun. Germany gets less sunlight than we do, and it’s one of the biggest solar markets in the world. You’ll see reduced output on overcast days, but the system keeps working.
How much could I save on my BC Hydro bill?
It depends on your system size and how much electricity you use. The average Vancouver household pays around $100–$120/month on BC Hydro. Many of our clients see that drop significantly – some close to zero. We’ll give you a realistic number based on your actual usage, not a best-case estimate.
What does installation cost?
We charge $2.20–$3.00 per watt. A typical system for a Vancouver home runs $13,200–$24,000 before rebates. After BC Hydro rebates and the PST exemption, you’re paying less. We give you a detailed quote after the site visit.
Do I need permits?
Yes – both an electrical permit and a building permit are required in Vancouver. We handle both as part of the job.
How long does solar panel installation take?
Lead times on equipment vary, but once everything is on-site, installation typically takes 2–3 weeks. Before that, permits need to be pulled, which will take around 2 weeks. From the time you give us the go-ahead to the day your system is switched on, you’re generally looking at a total of 4–6 weeks, depending on equipment availability and permit processing.
Do I need to stay connected to BC Hydro?
Most homeowners do. It’s the more affordable option and means you’re never without power. Fully off-grid systems are better suited to rural or remote properties. If you want backup power but still want to stay connected, a battery added to your grid-tie system is usually the right answer.
Which battery is right for me?
The first question is: what do you need it for? Backup power during outages? Maximizing your rebate? Keeping costs down? The answer changes depending on what matters most to you.
We install Sol-Ark, SolarEdge, Franklin WH, and Tesla Powerwall. The first three are the most versatile — they work with solar, a generator, and grid tie, and they qualify for the BC Hydro battery rebate.
The Tesla Powerwall is one of the more affordable options and comes with the solar inverter included, but it doesn’t qualify for the BC Hydro battery rebate.
We’ll go through the options with you — it’s not a decision you need to make before talking to us.
Can I add a battery or upgrade my system down the road?
Usually yes. We try to design systems with that in mind from the start, extra panels later or a battery addition. Whether it’s straightforward or not, that depends on the inverter we install, but we’ll be upfront about that during the quote.
Is my roof strong enough for solar panel installation?
That’s exactly the right question – and one most people don’t think to ask. We check your roof structure and trusses at the site visit before anything gets ordered. If there’s a problem, you’ll know before we start.
CLIENT REVIEWS.
Michael Lentsch
I have used Quinn and his for well over 10+ years. They have been timely and professional everytime I've used them on my projects. From simple jobs to more completed residential and commercial projects, they accomplished them to what we needed.
Nicholas Shepard
Amazing service as always. Highly recommend Quinn and the gang for any electrical needs.
Rob Cronk
We had a major power surge and MJR was there same day to get us back up and running. They did a great job
Allison Mountstevens
MJR Electric has consistently provided exceptional customer service, attention to detail and a skilled, thoughtful approach to my electrical-related projects for the past 5 years. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Quinn and his team.
AReas We SeRve.
- North Vancouver
- West Vancouver
- Richmond
- Burnaby
- Coquitlam
- Port Moody
- Vancouver
- Surrey
- Delta
- Langley
- Maple Ridge
- Squamish
Thinking about solar for your home or business?
We’ll come out, check your roof, look at your usage, and give you a straight answer on whether it makes sense as well as what it would actually cost.