Ontario Solar
Renewable Energy: A Sociopolitical, Environmental and Economic Solution
How inclusion, incentives and green jobs shape Ontario's shift to renewable energy, and where net metering and rooftop solar fit in for homeowners.
How inclusion, incentives and green jobs shape Ontario's shift to renewable energy, and where net metering and rooftop solar fit in for homeowners.
Renewable energy is often discussed as a purely environmental topic, but it is also social, political and economic. In Ontario, the pace of the transition depends on who gets to take part, what incentives exist and what kind of jobs it creates. This article was written in 2021, so the programs and figures below are best read as a snapshot of that moment. For what is available today, see our incentives page.
The renewable energy sector needs more women. Across Canada, women are diversifying energy through climate action. At the time of writing, the Pembina Institute was launching a series called Women in Energy Transformation to empower women nationally to get involved with renewable energy in their communities. Many women advocate for underrepresented communities directly affected by the energy sector and for economic justice.
The numbers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) show why this matters. Reporting from that period, including Maclean's Magazine, put women at roughly 22 percent of STEM jobs, only a small increase over about three decades. Education and opportunity need to reach every demographic, and the climate crisis will have social impacts that fall unevenly unless we act on solutions together.
In 2021, Ontario homeowners could look at several energy programs. These were snapshots of what was offered then and have changed since:
Natural Resources Canada data has shown that solar systems in Ontario produce roughly 1,100 to 1,200 kilowatt-hours per year for each kilowatt of panels installed. Actual output depends on the roof, shading and system design, so a site assessment gives the real answer for your house.
Net metering is considered one of the key policies for making solar work in Ontario. Homeowners earn credits for excess energy their system exports to the grid, and those credits can be used on future bills. Credits carry month to month but do not last forever, so they need to be used within the rules set out by your utility. Our guide to how net metering works in Ontario goes through it in detail, and the Ontario Energy Board publishes official information on rates and rules.
An economy that is both sustainable and efficient needs new kinds of jobs. Ontario lost many manufacturing jobs over the last decade, and renewable energy has been seen as one way to create replacements. An industry association study at the time suggested that expanding Ontario's solar generation could help reduce system costs. In 2021, the federal Minister of Natural Resources announced a program for grid modernization and smart renewable energy investment covering wind, hydro, geothermal, tidal, storage and solar. Provincially, a Green Investment Fund was introduced to support projects that help homeowners use less energy, expand electric vehicle charging, retrofit social housing, help businesses cut emissions and support Indigenous communities with training and infrastructure.
Specific amounts and program details have changed, so check official sources such as Natural Resources Canada for current information.
Terawatt Solar's licensed ESA crews and in-house design team can walk you through the transition so your home becomes more efficient, affordable and sustainable. Explore residential solar or commercial solar, then request a free solar assessment.
Net metering has been the main mechanism, but rules and utility details can change. Check our net metering guide and the Ontario Energy Board for current information.
Not necessarily. Programs change often, so visit our incentives page for what applies today.
