Introduction: Why Go Solar in Winnipeg?
Manitoba is one of Canada’s most attractive places to go solar, thanks to plenty of sunshine, low-carbon electricity, and strong provincial rebates. As electricity rates trend upward over time and more Winnipeg homeowners look for ways to cut their bills, solar panels are becoming a smart long-term investment across the province.
Whether you live in Winnipeg, Brandon, Steinbach, or a rural community, understanding how Manitoba Hydro’s net billing works, and how it ties into Efficiency Manitoba’s Solar Rebate Program, will help you decide if solar is right for your home, farm, or business.
What is Microgeneration?
In Manitoba, what many provinces call “microgeneration” is usually referred to as customer-owned generation—small to mid-sized systems that allow you to produce your own electricity from technologies like solar photovoltaic (PV).
With a grid-tied solar PV system, your panels generate electricity for your home or business first. If your system is producing more than you’re using, the surplus flows back to Manitoba Hydro’s grid and earns you a monetary credit through net billing.
But if you're thinking about making the switch, you likely have some important questions:
This comprehensive guide will answer your key questions and walk you through everything you need to know before installing solar panels in Winnipeg or anywhere in Manitoba.
Types of Microgeneration in Winnipeg
Manitoba Hydro allows customers to connect a range of generation systems to the grid, as long as they follow safety and interconnection rules. For solar, most projects fall into 2 broad categories:
Small-Scale Residential & Farm Systems:
Typically under 10–15 kW for homes and small farms.
Common on single-family homes in Winnipeg, acreages, and rural properties.
Often paired with Efficiency Manitoba’s Solar Rebate Program, which provides $0.50 per DC watt up to $5,000 per home for systems up to 10 kW.
Larger Customer-Owned Projects (Commercial & Agricultural):
Systems can be sized up to 10 MW under Manitoba Hydro’s customer-owned generation framework, as long as they meet voltage and interconnection limits.
Used by commercial buildings, large farms, and industrial sites looking to offset a substantial portion of their electricity use.
May qualify for a separate commercial solar rebate of $0.75 per DC watt through Efficiency Manitoba’s business program.
The Path to Becoming a Micro-Generator
Thinking about solar for your home or property? The overall process in Manitoba is straightforward, but it does involve a few key steps and approvals. Here’s how to get started:
Identify & Review Your Usage Your electricity bill from Manitoba Hydro is the starting point:
Confirm that your property is served by Manitoba Hydro and review 12 months of kWh usage.
This usage history helps size your solar PV system so it closely matches your annual consumption—a big factor under Manitoba’s net billing rules.
Kickstart the Process:
To simplify things:
Send us a copy of your Manitoba Hydro bill, and we’ll perform a preliminary solar assessment.
From there, we can estimate system size, production, and potential Efficiency Manitoba rebate, then outline how net billing would affect your monthly bill.
Send us your electricity bill, and we’ll notify your distribution company of your intent to become a micro-generator. This initial step is crucial in beginning your transition to solar power.
Work with a qualified solar contractor familiar with Manitoba Hydro’s “Generate your own electricity” process.
- Ensure your system uses certified equipment that meets Canadian Electrical Code and Manitoba standards.
- If you’re applying for Efficiency Manitoba rebates, confirm your system design fits program rules (grid-tied, sized to offset annual use, etc.).
Follow Manitoba Hydro & Efficiency Manitoba Guidelines:
The next step is aligning your project with utility and rebate requirements:
Submit Your Application & Submit Rebate Applications:
Once the design is finalized:
Your installer will submit the interconnection request to Manitoba Hydro and, if required, the Excess Energy Purchase Agreement for net billing.
- After your system is installed and inspected, you—or your installer—will submit the Efficiency Manitoba solar rebate application, typically within 90 days of completion.
Sign Your Agreements & Install the Bi-Directional Meter:
When approvals come through:
You’ll sign any required net billing / excess energy agreements.
Manitoba Hydro will install a bi-directional meter that tracks electricity flowing both to and from your home.
Installation and Activation
Your contractor completes the physical installation and arranges electrical inspections.
Once Manitoba Hydro activates the connection, your solar PV system starts producing, and you’ll begin seeing the impact on your bill—both in reduced consumption and credits from exported energy.
With paperwork done, your system can be installed:
Benefits of Microgeneration and Solar Power
Becoming a solar generator in Manitoba brings a mix of financial, environmental, and lifestyle benefits.
Reduced Energy Costs: Solar PV offsets the daytime electricity you’d normally buy from Manitoba Hydro, lowering your monthly bill. With Efficiency Manitoba’s rebate (up to $5,000 per home), your upfront cost is significantly reduced, improving your payback period.
Energy Independence: Generating your own power gives you more control over future electricity costs. You’re less exposed to potential rate hikes, especially when your system is sized to match your annual kWh usage.
Environmental Impact: Manitoba already has one of the cleanest electricity grids in Canada, with over 97% of electricity coming from hydro, wind, and solar. Adding rooftop solar further supports this low-carbon mix and helps cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Increased Property Value: Homes with solar installations often see higher resale values and stronger buyer interest, especially in markets like Winnipeg where energy efficiency and lower operating costs are a selling point.
Government Incentives: There are various incentives and rebates available for those who choose to install solar panels. These can help offset the initial costs of your system, making solar power more affordable than ever. Manitoba Hydro’s Home Energy Efficiency Loan can help finance solar projects, spreading costs over time. Residential solar rebates: $0.50 per DC watt, up to $5,000 per home (10 kW cap). Commercial rebates: $0.75 per watt for eligible business systems.
Understanding Net Billing in Manitoba
One of the most important pieces of the Manitoba solar puzzle is understanding net billing—how you’re credited for excess solar power. Unlike some provinces that use 1:1 net metering, Manitoba Hydro uses net billing, which creates a monetary credit instead of an energy credit:
Monthly Credits: When your panels are producing, that energy first supplies your home or business. If your solar output is greater than your real-time usage, the surplus is exported to the grid. Manitoba Hydro pays you for that exported electricity at the posted “excess energy price”, and a dollar credit is applied to your bill.
You still buy electricity from the grid when the sun isn’t shining (especially evenings and winter), but your credits help offset those charges.
The Difference Between Buy Rate and Sell Rate: Buy electricity from Manitoba Hydro at the standard residential rate (around 9–10¢/kWh). You sell excess electricity back at the excess energy price, which is lower (roughly 4–5¢/kWh, updated periodically). Because the sell rate is lower than the buy rate, the best strategy is to size your solar system so most of your production is used on-site, rather than oversizing and exporting large amounts at the lower credit rate. Efficiency Manitoba estimates that, for a properly sized system, roughly 40–60% of your annual solar energy may be sold back to the grid.
Manitoba’s Renewable Energy Goals
Manitoba is already a renewable energy powerhouse, and rooftop solar fits into a bigger clean-energy picture.:
Today: Over 97% of Manitoba’s electricity already comes from renewable sources—primarily hydro, along with wind and solar—making it one of the cleanest grids in the world..
By 2030: The province’s Green Plan for Manitoba outlines a goal to increase overall renewable energy use to 50% (from about 30%) by 2030, expanding clean electricity and reducing fossil fuel dependence across the economy.
Long-Term: Federal Clean Electricity Regulations aim for a net-zero electricity grid by 2050. With its massive hydro resources and growing interest in solar, Manitoba is positioned to play a key role in Canada’s broader decarbonization efforts.
When you install solar in Winnipeg or anywhere in Manitoba, you’re not just investing in your own roof—you’re contributing to this provincial and national clean-energy transition.
Option A: Sticking with Utility Company (Rent Your Power)
If you choose to stay with your traditional utility company, you’ll continue to pay for electricity the same way you always have. Here’s what that looks like:
Power Generation: Your utility company generates electricity using a mix of renewable and non-renewable resources. You’re charged for the electricity you use in your home.
Transmission: Electricity is transmitted from power plants to distribution substations via high-voltage transmission lines. This adds transmission charges to your bill.
Distribution: Your local distribution company facilitates the delivery of electricity from the grid to your home, adding distribution charges.
Additional Fees: On top of your energy usage, you’ll also pay various fees, including admin fees, local access fees, rate riders, and taxes.
Monthly Utility Bill: You receive a monthly utility bill that includes all these charges, along with the cost of the electricity you’ve used.
Option B: Going Solar (Owning Your Power)
Investing in solar power offers a completely different approach to meeting your energy needs:
Solar Panels: Your solar panels harness the power of the sun, converting UV rays into direct current (DC) electricity.
Inverter: This DC electricity is converted into alternating current (AC) by an inverter, making it usable for your home’s appliances and systems.
Powering Your Home: The electricity generated by your solar system powers your home, reducing or eliminating your need to draw power from the grid.
Energy Tracking: A bi-directional meter monitors your energy production and consumption, ensuring you know exactly how much electricity you’re generating and using.
Selling Excess Energy: Any surplus electricity that your system generates is automatically sent back to the grid. You earn credits for this excess energy, which can be used to offset your future electricity costs.
Grid Backup: If your solar system doesn’t produce enough electricity to meet your needs (such as on cloudy days or at night), you can still draw power from the grid, ensuring you always have the energy you need.
Making the Choice: Utility vs. Solar
Choosing between sticking with your utility company or investing in solar power depends on your goals, budget, and long-term energy needs. If you’re looking for immediate cost savings, energy independence, and the ability to contribute to a cleaner environment, going solar is the clear choice. However, if you prefer the simplicity of staying with your current provider and are not ready to make an upfront investment, you may decide to stick with your utility company for now.
Get Your Free Solar Quote Today!
Are you ready to take control of your energy future and start saving money on your electricity bills? Contact Mag Solar today for a free, no-obligation solar quote. Our team of experts will guide you through the entire process, from selecting the right system to installation and activation. Don’t wait—start generating your own clean, renewable energy and enjoy the benefits of going solar in Alberta.
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