Cost and affordability
Hydro‑Québec recommends that you consult an engineer who specializes in solar energy before you invest in a photovoltaic solar system to ensure it’s the right size.
Potential for self-generated solar power in Québec
In southern Québec, every kilowatt (kW) of installed capacity can generate approximately 1,200 kWhs a year
.
To determine whether you have the optimal generating conditions, check the following factors:
- Will you be able to install your solar panels facing due south?
- Will your panels be properly inclined for your latitude?
- Are there any trees or buildings that cast shade on your roof where your panels will be installed?
Installing solar panels: Is it worthwhile?
Curious to know what it would cost to install solar panels? Want an estimate of how much energy your solar panels could produce in a year if you become a customer-generator, or how long it would take to recoup your investment? Then this calculator is for you!
*Costs and prices for 2024.
Potential savings on your electricity bill
After assessing the power-generation potential of the solar panels that you plan to install, you can estimate how much you will save on your electricity bill. Here’s how:
- Access to your Customer Space to view your Consumption Profile as a residential customer or business customer
- Determine the average number of kilowatthours your solar power system will be able to generate in a year by multiplying the system’s total installed capacity (in kilowatts) by 1,200 hours for an ideal scenario in Québec.
Sample calculation
In Québec, an average-sized detached house uses roughly 25,000 kWh of electricity a year.
An installation comprising sixteen 300-watt (W) photovoltaic solar panels (for a total installed capacity of 4.8 kW) will generate 5,760 kWh a year in ideal conditions, saving you approximately on your electricity bill each year.
This theoretical scenario is based on ideal conditions, including the following:
- Fixed solar panels with an ideal orientation
- Nominal capacity at 25°C
- New panels
- No shade on panels
- System fully paid-for at the time of purchase
This setup would cost approximately $14,400, based on an average price of $3 per watt.
Hydro‑Québec’s net metering option
Hydro‑Québec’s net metering option allows customers to generate electricity from a renewable source while remaining connected to Hydro‑Québec’s grid, thereby enabling them to compensate for the intermittent nature of photovoltaic solar power.
With this option, if customers generate more electricity with their solar panels than they use, Hydro‑Québec will grant them credits measured in kilowatthours—not a refund—for the surplus power fed into the grid. These credits are put into a bank and, if they are not used within 24 months, the bank is reset to zero. It is important to note that, regardless of the quantity of power fed into the Hydro‑Québec grid, customers cannot be credited for Hydro‑Québec’s system access charge of per day, which is the set amount customers pay for the electricity service itself.
For a customer to qualify for the net metering option, their installations must not generate more electricity than the volume consumed. In other words, the customer’s goal must be self-sufficiency and not sales.
Important!
Hydro‑Québec must approve all net metering enrollment applications, regardless of the renewable source of energy selected. Please allow two to three weeks for your application to be processed. We strongly recommend that you submit your project to Hydro‑Québec before purchasing any equipment in order to ensure your eligibility for the net metering option and the compliance of your equipment with Hydro‑Québec’s technical specifications.
