The Greener Homes Loan Is Gone. Here’s The Smarter Way To Go Solar In BC.
The federal Canada Greener Homes Loan has closed to new applications. But for Vancouver Island homeowners, the opportunity to go solar without upfront cost stress is better than ever.
Shoreline Building Performance offers 0% bridge financing that covers your full installation cost until your BC Hydro rebate arrives, meaning you only ever finance what you actually owe. The net cost for most homes works out to roughly $20–$50 more per month than your current Hydro bill. Except now part of that is building equity.
Don't Rent Energy, Build Equity
Most homeowners think of solar as an additional expense layered on top of their electricity bill. That’s not how it works.
Your Hydro bill is already a monthly payment for electricity you’ll never own. Solar converts part of that spend into something you keep, a physical asset that generates power for 25–30 years, locked to a fixed monthly cost that doesn’t rise with BC Hydro’s rates.
| Your Hydro bill today | After solar | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | ~$150–200 | ~$50–80 residual Hydro + ~$140–160 solar payment |
| What you own at year 10 | Nothing | A paid-down solar asset |
| Rate increase exposure | 100% exposed | Partially hedged |
| Net monthly change | — | ~$20–$50 more to start owning your power |
That’s about $30/month to start building equity in your home energy system.
We Front The Rebate So You Don’t Have To
Most solar companies ask you to pay the full installation cost upfront and wait for your rebate to arrive. Shoreline does it differently.
Our 0% bridge financing via Financeit and our banking partners Vancity, RBC, and Scotiabank covers the full installation cost from day one. Once your BC Hydro rebate is processed, it pays down the loan automatically. You only ever finance the net cost: what you actually owe after rebates.
This is your unfair advantage. No cash outlay. No waiting. No overpaying.
This program is right for you if...
- Your monthly BC Hydro bill is $100 or more
- You own your home (detached, townhouse, or duplex)
- Your roof is in good condition with reasonable south or west exposure
- You’re already planning to stay 5+ years
- You’d rather pay yourself than pay BC Hydro
- Condos and renters: we can assess your situation and may still have options, particularly for multi-unit buildings through strata programs.
See if you qualify
Real Numbers From A Typical Vancouver Island Home.
These are not best-case projections. This is the math on a standard 7 kW installation for a home with a $150–200\/month Hydro bill, after the BC Hydro solar rebate and 0% bridge financing using Shoreline’s current pricing.
Typical Vancouver Island Home
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| System size | 7 kW |
| Installed cost | ~$18,000 |
| BC Hydro solar rebate | −$5,000 |
| Net cost financed | ~$13,000 |
Monthly Impact
| Item | Per month |
|---|---|
| Solar payment (~$13k financed) | ~$140–$160 |
| Hydro offset from solar | −$100–$130 |
| Net monthly upgrade cost | ~$20–$50 |
Estimates based on typical Vancouver Island consumption and BC Hydro self-generation rates. Your free assessment gives exact figures.
Why Vancouver Island Homeowners Are Going Solar With Shoreline BP
- Lock in part of your energy cost your solar payment is fixed; BC Hydro’s rates aren’t
- Build equity in your home— solar increases assessed property value
- Protect against rising rates — partially hedge your electricity cost exposure
- Reduce grid reliance<\/strong> — generate your own power during peak hours
- Environmental impact — BC’s grid is already clean; adding solar keeps your home’s footprint close to zero
What Our Customers Say
“I was paying BC Hydro $190 a month and had nothing to show for it. Now I pay about the same total, but part of it is mine. Shoreline handled everything.”
How It Works
From your first question to panels on your roof, Shoreline manages the entire process. Most homeowners are generating power within 8–12 weeks of their first call.
Free Home Assessment
Pre-Approval & Bridge Financing
Installation, Inspection & Rebate
Add A Solar Battery Or EV Charger
Stack these upgrades with your solar install:
- Battery Storage: Up to $5,000 additional BC Hydro rebate — store solar, reduce peak grid draw
- EV Charger Installation: Up to $350 BC Hydro rebate + CleanBC Go Electric
- Heat Pump Upgrade: CleanBC rebate up to $4,000–$8,000 to run heating and cooling on power you generate
- A combined solar + battery + EV charger project can access up to $10,350 in combined rebates on top of the base solar rebate — all under one project financing arrangement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Canada Greener Homes Loan still available?
No. The Canada Greener Homes Loan closed to new applications in 2024. The federal government’s replacement — the Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program — is anticipated but has not yet launched. In the meantime, BC Hydro’s solar rebate (up to $5,000) and Shoreline’s 0% bridge financing via Financeit make solar accessible without the federal loan.
What does 0% bridge financing actually mean?
Shoreline arranges financing through Financeit (and banking partners Vancity, RBC, and Scotiabank) that covers your full installation cost at 0% interest during the rebate processing window — typically 6–8 weeks after installation. Once your BC Hydro rebate is paid out, it automatically reduces your loan balance. You only ever carry the net cost: installed cost minus rebate. Eligibility is subject to credit approval.
How much does a typical solar installation cost on Vancouver Island?
A standard 7 kW system for a home with a $150–200\/month Hydro bill typically costs around $18,000 installed. After the BC Hydro solar rebate of up to $5,000, the net financed amount is approximately $13,000 — roughly $140–$160\/month over a standard term. With the Hydro offset of $100–$130\/month, the net upgrade cost works out to about $20–$50 per month. Your free assessment gives you exact figures.
How long does it take from assessment to panels on the roof?
Most Shoreline installations are complete within 8–12 weeks of the initial assessment. This includes system design, rebate pre-approval, permitting, installation, Technical Safety BC inspection, and BC Hydro self-generation connection. We manage every step.
Does solar make sense in BC given the low electricity rates?
BC Hydro’s rates are low relative to most of Canada, which extends payback periods. For a Vancouver Island home with a $150+ monthly Hydro bill, a 7 kW system typically pays back in 12–18 years and generates power for 25–30. The financial case is stronger for high-consumption homes, east- or south-facing roofs, and homeowners planning to stay long-term. We’ll tell you honestly at your assessment if solar isn’t a good fit.
Can I add battery storage and an EV charger at the same time?
Yes, and it’s often more cost-effective to bundle them. BC Hydro’s battery storage rebate adds up to $5,000 on top of the solar rebate, and the EV charger rebate adds up to $350 through BC Hydro plus CleanBC Go Electric incentives. Shoreline manages all three as a single project with one financing arrangement.
What happens if my roof needs work?
A roof in poor condition doesn’t automatically disqualify you, but we’ll flag it at your assessment. In some cases it makes sense to address the roof first. In other cases, minor repairs can be folded into the project scope. We’ll give you an honest recommendation either way.
Do I need to do anything to prepare for the survey or assessment?
No. For the online survey, just answer honestly — it takes under 3 minutes. For the home assessment, a recent BC Hydro bill is helpful but not required. We’ll pull what we need from available data and the site visit.
For about $20–$50 more per month, you can start owning your power.
The Greener Homes Loan is gone. BC Hydro rebates and 0% bridge financing are here. Most Vancouver Island homeowners qualify. Find out in 3 minutes.
