Backup NorthBackup power in Ontario
Ontario's biggest recent outages came from the May 2022 derecho, which cut power to hundreds of thousands of homes, and the March 2025 ice storm in central Ontario, where some cottage-country customers waited more than a week.
Home Renovation Savings: solar and battery storage
| Battery rebate | $300 per kWh of installed storage, up to 50% of eligible costs, maximum $5,000 |
|---|---|
| Must be paired with | A new rooftop solar system, sized appropriately. Standalone batteries don't qualify |
| Solar rebate | $1,000 per kW DC, up to 50% of costs, maximum $5,000 |
| Who qualifies | Owners of detached, semi-detached, row or townhomes, or mobile homes on a permanent foundation, connected to the Ontario grid (Cornwall Electric customers excluded) |
| Before you buy | Written pre-installation approval is required. Installation by a licensed electrical contractor, with ESA inspection |
| Net metering | Homes taking this rebate can't also have a net-metering agreement. The system is for using your own power |
Source: Home Renovation Savings: solar and battery, run by Enbridge Gas and the IESO's Save on Energy.
Example: a 13 kWh battery installed with new solar for $15,000: 13 × $300 = $3,900, under 50% of cost and under the $5,000 cap, so about $3,900. Confirm before buying.
Outage tips for Ontario
- Outage maps: Hydro One (most rural Ontario), Toronto Hydro, Alectra, Hydro Ottawa and other local utilities.
- Ice storms bring down lines in treed areas. Cottage roads and rural lines are restored last.
- Basement flooding is common in spring. If you rely on a sump pump, size backup power for its start-up surge (see Will it run).
- Generator transfer switches and battery installs need an ESA notification and inspection.