Net metering in Canada: the rules by province
How each Canadian province credits the solar power you send to the grid in 2026: net metering, net billing, rollover rules and size caps.
6 min read · Updated 2026-10-30
A rooftop solar system often makes more power than your home needs on a sunny afternoon. That surplus flows to the grid, and what your utility gives you for it is one of the biggest factors in whether solar pays. Every province handles it differently, and several rules changed in 2025 and 2026.
This guide sets out the rules as we found them on utility and regulator websites in October 2026. Rules change, so confirm with your utility before you sign a contract.
Three ways utilities credit exports
- Net metering. Each kWh you export earns a credit worth the same as a kWh you buy. Credits pile up in summer and get used in winter. This is the most generous approach for homeowners.
- Net billing. Each kWh you export earns a dollar credit at a set price, which is usually lower than what you pay for power. Using your own solar power directly is worth more than exporting it.
- Annual settlement. Some utilities settle leftover credits once a year. Depending on the province, leftovers are paid out, applied to your bill or cancelled.
Province-by-province rules for 2026
| Province | How exports are credited | Unused credits | Size limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | Net metering through your local utility, valued at your price plan's rates | Carry forward up to 12 months, then written off. No cash payout | Up to 500 kW, sized to your use |
| Alberta | Micro-generation: small systems under 150 kW are credited at your retail energy rate | Your retailer must pay for unused credits once a year | Sized to your annual use, under 5 MW |
| British Columbia | Self-generation (net billing) since July 1, 2026: a fixed 10¢ per kWh credit against energy charges | Dollar credits on your bill | Up to 100 kW |
| Saskatchewan | Net billing at 7.5¢ per kWh, offsetting the energy charge only | Carry forward for the life of the account at that address. No cash | Up to 100 kW |
| Manitoba | Net billing at Manitoba Hydro's excess energy price: 7.173¢ per kWh until March 31, 2027 | Dollar credit on your monthly bill | Under 100 kW at the standard price |
| Quebec | Hydro-Québec net metering, kWh credits banked | Bank resets every 24 months. Any balance is applied to your bill at the average supply cost | Sized to your needs, up to 1,000 kW |
| New Brunswick | NB Power net metering, kWh credits | Reset to zero every March 31. No payment | Up to 100 kW |
| Nova Scotia | NS Power net metering, kWh credits banked up to 12 months | Paid out at your retail energy rate on your anniversary date | Up to 100 kW, sized to your annual use |
| Prince Edward Island | Maritime Electric net metering, kWh credits with no cash value | Carry forward until October 31 of the following calendar year, oldest first | Up to 100 kW |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Newfoundland Power net metering, kWh credits banked | Settled once a year at the rate Newfoundland Power pays to buy power from NL Hydro | Up to 100 kW, sized to your annual use |
What the differences mean for your savings
In a net metering province, the grid works like a free seasonal battery. A kWh you export in July is worth roughly what a kWh costs you in January, so it matters less when you use your power. Credits only offset per-kWh charges, though. Fixed monthly charges stay on every bill.
In a net billing province (BC for new customers, Saskatchewan and Manitoba), exported power earns less than you pay to buy power. Each kWh you use at the moment it's made saves you the full retail price, while each exported kWh earns the lower credit. That favours a smaller system that matches your daytime use, and it makes running the dishwasher, laundry or EV charging at midday more valuable.
Alberta sits in between. Small systems earn your retail energy rate, which can move with the market and depends on your retail contract. Delivery charges such as distribution, transmission and local access fees still apply to the power you buy.
Rollover and true-up rules
- Ontario: credits roll forward month to month for up to 12 months. Anything older is written off. There is no cash payment.
- Quebec: the longest bank in Canada, reset every 24 months.
- New Brunswick and PEI: credits run on a fixed calendar date (March 31 in New Brunswick, October 31 of the following year in PEI), so summer surplus still reaches the next winter.
- Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador: leftover credits are paid or credited once a year. In Nova Scotia that happens on the anniversary date set when you join.
- Saskatchewan: dollar credits carry forward as long as you keep the account at that address, but can't be cashed out or used against the basic monthly charge.
Our guide on what happens to net metering credits walks through how this looks on real bills.
Size limits and sizing to your use
The caps above are far larger than a typical home system, so they rarely limit a homeowner. The rule that matters more is the expectation that you size the system to your own annual use. Nova Scotia and Newfoundland Power say so outright, and in Ontario oversizing just produces credits that expire. A system sized to roughly your yearly kWh, or a little less, makes the most of every province's rules.
Ontario: net metering or the HRSP rebate
Ontario adds a twist. The Home Renovation Savings Program pays $1,000 per kW up to $5,000 (max 50% of cost), but a system that takes the rebate must be sized for on-site use and can't join net metering. Our guide to net metering vs the HRSP rebate helps you choose.
Rules change, so check before you sign
Three recent changes show why you should check current rules:
- BC Hydro closed its old net metering rate to new customers on July 1, 2026. Existing customers keep it for 10 years from their start date, then move to the new rate.
- SaskPower set its 7.5¢ credit to run until March 31, 2026, and its website hasn't yet confirmed the terms after that date. Ask SaskPower before you commit.
- Manitoba Hydro resets its excess energy price every April 1. It has ranged from about 2.4¢ to 7.2¢ since 2020.
You can confirm details on NB Power's net metering FAQ, Maritime Electric's net metering page and Newfoundland Power's net metering page, plus the sources listed below.
How SolarMyBill handles export rules
Our calculator applies an export rule for each province and shows when it was last checked. You can compare provinces on our province pages. If your utility tells you something different, trust your utility and let us know.
Next step
See how your province's rules affect your roof: check your roof.
Common questions
- Which provinces still have full net metering in 2026?
- Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador credit exports in kWh. BC, Saskatchewan and Manitoba now use net billing at a fixed price per kWh, and Alberta credits small systems at your retail energy rate.
- Do net metering credits pay my whole electricity bill?
- No. Credits only offset per-kWh charges. Fixed monthly charges, such as customer service or basic charges, stay on your bill every month.
- What changed in BC in 2026?
- BC Hydro closed its net metering rate to new customers on July 1, 2026. New solar customers now get a fixed 10 cents per kWh credit for exports, while existing net metering customers keep the old rate for 10 years from their start date.
- Can I get paid cash for extra solar power?
- In most provinces, no. Nova Scotia pays leftover credits at your anniversary date, Newfoundland Power settles them once a year and Alberta retailers must pay for unused credits annually. Elsewhere, unused credits are applied to your bill or expire.
Sources
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