Nobody in this market publishes prices. We are going to, because the first question everyone asks is what it costs, and being made to fill in a form to find out is a good reason to close the tab.
These are 2026 installed prices for British Columbia, before any rebate. They are the numbers we would quote from, not a national average.
| System size | Roughly suits | Installed cost | After BC Hydro rebate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5–6 kW | Smaller home, gas heat, modest bill | $13,000–$20,000 | $8,000–$15,000 |
| 8–10 kW | Typical family home, the most common size we install | $20,000–$33,000 | $15,000–$28,000 |
| 15 kW+ | Acreage, shop, heat pump, EV, well pump | from $37,500 | from $32,500 |
That works out at roughly $2.50 to $3.30 per watt installed. Add a battery and the price rises, but so does the rebate — up to $5,000 more on an eligible unit.
Read a per-watt quote carefully. A low dollar-per-watt figure usually means one of three things: a cheaper panel, an undersized inverter, or work excluded that reappears later — a panel upgrade, engineering, or the BC Hydro interconnection. Compare what is included, not the number at the bottom.
If it is full or the service is undersized, that gets dealt with first. It is the most common surprise on a solar quote, and it is why we look at the panel on the first visit rather than the third.
One simple south-facing plane is the cheapest thing to build on. Cut-up roofs, steep pitches, multiple orientations and awkward access all add labour. Metal and shingle mount differently and price differently.
A ground mount costs more in racking and trenching but often produces more, because you choose the angle instead of accepting the roof’s. On acreages it frequently comes out ahead.
A battery changes the character of the project, not just the price. It is also where the second $5,000 of rebate lives, and it is worth more now that exported power earns 10 cents rather than full retail.
Since 1 June 2026, BC Hydro only pays its solar and battery rebates when the work is done by a Home Performance Contractor Network member. It cannot be fixed afterwards. If the install is finished by a non-member, the rebate is simply gone.
Ask any installer you are considering whether they are an HPCN member before you sign anything. We are one. It costs you nothing to ask and it is worth up to $10,000.
From that we come back with a system size, expected annual production for your actual roof, the rebates you qualify for, and a real payback figure. No cost, no obligation, and we will tell you if the answer is no.
Want to run your own numbers? Put your consumption through our savings calculator and see the size, the cost after rebate and the payback for your own property.
Send the three things above and we will do the arithmetic on your property rather than quoting you a range.
Nechako Solar is a licensed BC electrical contractor, licence LEL0204111, and a member of the Home Performance Contractor Network (HPCN) — you can check that in the HPCN directory. Prices are indicative 2026 ranges for British Columbia and are not a quote. Rebate amounts are set by BC Hydro and current as of August 2026.
