Ontario utility
Solar with Hydro Ottawa
What rooftop solar does on a Hydro Ottawa bill: the rate plans, how exported power is credited, and what a typical home in Ottawa could save.
- Sample system
- 8.2 kW
- 19 panels, Ottawa
- Year-1 savings
- $1,558
- Pays back in
- 13.6 years
- Bill, before → after
- $180 → $50
- per month, average
Rate plans
What Hydro Ottawa charges
Time-of-Use
Time-of-Use · from 2026-11-01 · some figures approximate- On-peak 18.9¢
- Mid-peak 14.6¢
- Off-peak 9.1¢
Plus about $38 a month in fixed charges and 4.8¢ per kWh for delivery and regulatory charges, then 13% tax.
Commodity prices are the OEB RPP prices from Nov 1, 2026. Delivery charges are approximate for this utility.
Ultra-Low Overnight
Ultra-Low Overnight · from 2026-11-01 · some figures approximate- On-peak 37.7¢
- Mid-peak 14.6¢
- Weekend off-peak 9.1¢
- Ultra-low overnight 3.7¢
Plus about $38 a month in fixed charges and 4.8¢ per kWh for delivery and regulatory charges, then 13% tax.
Commodity prices are the OEB RPP prices from Nov 1, 2026. Delivery charges are approximate for this utility.
Tiered
Tiered · from 2026-11-01 · some figures approximate- 11.2¢ for the first 1,000 kWh a month (less in summer)
- 13.2¢ above that
Plus about $38 a month in fixed charges and 4.8¢ per kWh for delivery and regulatory charges, then 13% tax.
Commodity prices are the OEB RPP prices from Nov 1, 2026. Delivery charges are approximate for this utility.
Plans compared, with solar
Which plan pairs best with solar?
The same household (10,540 kWh a year, about $180 a month on Time-of-Use) with the system sized for best payback on each plan.
| Plan | Bill without solar | Bill with solar | Year-1 savings | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Time-of-Use | $180/mo | $50/mo | $1,558 | 13.6 years |
| Ultra-Low Overnight | $216/mo | $51/mo | $1,979 | 11.9 years |
| TieredLowest bill | $176/mo | $49/mo | $1,531 | 16.0 years |
SolarMyBill model estimates for a sample home. Compare plans with your own usage
Questions
Hydro Ottawa and solar: FAQ
- Can Hydro Ottawa customers get credit for solar power they send to the grid?
- Net metering, 1:1 credits, 12-month rollover. Each kWh you export offsets a kWh you buy later. See the Ontario page for the full rules.
- How much could solar save on a Hydro Ottawa bill?
- In our model, a sample Ottawa home with a $180 monthly bill on the Time-of-Use plan saves about $1,558 in the first year with a 8.2 kW system, paying back in 13.6 years. Your roof and usage will change the result.
- Which Hydro Ottawa rate plan works best with solar?
- For our sample household, the lowest bill after solar was on Tiered ($49 a month on average). Plans reward different habits, so compare them with your own usage.
- Do I need Hydro Ottawa's permission to install solar?
- Yes. Your installer applies to connect the system to the grid, and an electrical inspection is required before it is switched on. The utility may change your meter.
Also in Ontario
Your roof
Check your own home
Your roof, your Hydro Ottawa bill. About a minute.
Or try a sample roof: , ,