Canadian Net-Metering and Net-Billing Programs by Province (2026)

Net metering and net billing decide how your utility credits the surplus electricity a home solar (or other renewable) system sends back to the grid — the same number that shapes the payback math for a behind-the-meter or off-grid Bitcoin-mining setup. This reference summarises 12 Canadian provincial and territorial programs: the administrator, whether it is true net metering (a 1:1 kilowatt-hour credit) or net billing (a monetary credit, often below retail), the system size cap, how credits roll over, and what generation qualifies. Most provinces run 1:1 retail-rate net metering with an annual reset; Alberta and Manitoba use net billing, and caps range from 15 kW in Nunavut to 5 MW in Alberta. Because surplus is rarely paid at full retail, sizing for self-consumption usually returns more than exporting. Important: these values change, and several provinces are mid-transition. Treat this as an informational starting point, not advice — always confirm the current terms on the official utility or regulator source linked in each row, and consult a qualified professional, before you size a system or act.

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Net metering and net billing decide how a utility credits the surplus electricity a home solar (or other renewable) system pushes back to the grid — which is exactly the number that shapes the payback math for a behind-the-meter or off-grid Bitcoin-mining setup. This reference summarises 12 Canadian provincial and territorial programs: the administrator, whether it is true net metering (a 1:1 kWh credit) or net billing (a monetary credit, often below retail), the system size cap, how credits roll over, and what generation qualifies. Important: these values change, and several provinces are mid-transition (BC Hydro's new self-generation rate from Jul 1 2026; Yukon's paused intake). Treat this as an informational starting point, not advice — always confirm the current terms on the official utility or regulator source linked in each row before you size a system or act.

Most provinces offer 1:1 retail-rate net metering with an annual reset (Ontario 12-month; NB, NS, PEI, NL annual; Quebec a 24-month bank). Alberta and Manitoba run net billing, where exports are paid a separate, usually lower, rate. Caps range from 15 kW (Nunavut) to 5 MW (Alberta). Because surplus is rarely paid at full retail, sizing for self-consumption generally returns more than exporting.

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Province / territory	Program	Administrator	Type	Size cap (kW)	Credit treatment	Rollover / expiry	Eligible generation	Source
Ontario ON	Net Metering (O. Reg. 541/05)	Local distribution utility (e.g. Hydro One); Ontario Energy Board	net metering	500	1:1 retail credit applied to the electricity (energy) charge only; does not offset delivery, regulatory or debt-retirement charges	Credits carry forward up to 12 months, then reset to $0 (O. Reg. 541/05 s.8(8))	Renewable: solar, wind, water, biomass, biogas	Official →
Quebec QC	Net Metering Option I for Customer-Generators	Hydro-Quebec	net metering	1000	kWh banking (best returns from self-consumption); any positive surplus-bank balance at reset is paid at the average cost of electricity supply	Surplus bank resets to zero every 24 months (first reset Mar 31 of the even year after enrollment); remaining balance paid out at reset	Renewable: wind, photovoltaic, hydro, geothermal, bioenergy (forest biomass / biogas)	Official →
British Columbia BC	Net Metering Program	BC Hydro	net metering	100	kWh generation credit at the retail rate; net surplus at the annual true-up is paid at market price (about 3-10 cents/kWh, ~6 cents average). A new self-generation service rate applies to new customers from Jul 1, 2026	Credits roll over billing-to-billing; annual true-up on the Mar 1 anniversary pays out any remaining surplus	Clean or renewable per the Clean Energy Act: solar, wind, hydro, etc.	Official →
Alberta AB	Micro-Generation (Micro-generation Regulation, AR 27/2008)	Alberta Utilities Commission; wires owners / retailers (ATCO, EPCOR, FortisAlberta)	net billing	5000 (5 MW)	Small micro-gen (under 150 kW): credited at the retail energy rate. Large micro-gen (150 kW and over): credited at the hourly wholesale pool price	Credited monthly on the bill through the customer's electricity retailer	Renewable or alternative (<=418 kg CO2/MWh): solar, wind, hydro, sustainable biomass, geothermal	Official →
Saskatchewan SK	Net Metering Program	SaskPower	net metering	100	Monetary bill credit for exported kWh at SaskPower's net-metering rate; surplus carries to the following bill	Credits do not expire for systems enrolled after Nov 2019 (systems enrolled before Nov 2019: 3-year expiry)	Renewable energy resource, e.g. solar	Official →
Manitoba MB	Net Billing	Manitoba Hydro	net billing	—	Monetary credit for excess generation at the excess-energy price, applied against other charges on the monthly bill (a monetary, not kWh, credit)	Monetary credit applied to subsequent monthly bills	Renewable, e.g. solar	Official →
New Brunswick NB	Net Metering Program	NB Power	net metering	100	1:1 kWh offset; excess in a billing period is banked as a credit (excess energy is not purchased)	Carries month to month, then resets to zero each Mar 31; remaining credits are forfeited	Alternative use, biogas, biomass, solar, small hydro, wind	Official →
Nova Scotia NS	Self-Generating Option (residential net metering)	Nova Scotia Power	net metering	27 (residential; commercial net metering up to 1,000)	1:1 retail-rate energy credit, banked; surplus beyond annual consumption is not purchased	Banked and reconciled annually on the Jan 1 anniversary; year-end surplus above billed use is not carried forward	Solar, wind, run-of-river hydro, ocean / tidal / wave, sustainable biomass, landfill gas	Official →
Prince Edward Island PE	Net Metering Program	Maritime Electric	net metering	100 (Renewable Energy Act); Maritime Electric applied a 30 kW cap for new applicants	Excess kWh in a month are credited to the account for future use	Carried forward; outstanding credits from the preceding period expire Oct 31 each year	Renewable: solar, wind	Official →
Newfoundland and Labrador NL	Net Metering Service Option	Newfoundland Power / NL Hydro	net metering	100	Banked energy credits; annual surplus settled at the rate Newfoundland Power pays NL Hydro for power (below retail). Provincial total capped at 5 MW across all participants	Banked and settled annually in the customer-chosen Annual Review Billing Month	Small-scale renewable: wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, tidal, wave	Official →
Yukon YT	Micro-generation Program	Government of Yukon (ATCO Electric Yukon, Yukon Energy)	net metering	—	No kWh rollover; surplus exported over the year is paid out by an annual cheque from the Government of Yukon	No carryover between years; annual payout each April (note: program intake was paused into 2026 - confirm current status)	Renewable, e.g. solar, wind	Official →
Nunavut NU	Net Metering Program	Qulliq Energy Corporation	net metering	15	Bill credit for exported kWh, reducing the electricity purchased (residential customers and two municipal accounts per hamlet)	Credits usable within the same fiscal year; unused credits expire at fiscal year-end (confirm the current reset date with QEC)	Renewable: solar, wind	Official →

Each row is sourced to the utility or regulator's official program page (last verified 2026-06-27). Programs and rates change frequently — verify the current terms on the official source before acting. This is an informational reference, not legal, tax or engineering advice. Related: Canadian solar resource, mining energy sources. See the open data hub.

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Last reviewed June 27, 2026.