The pilot program that kick-started Manitoba’s solar energy sector is set to return in 2022, after ending in 2018.
Manitoba Hydro’s solar panel rebate program was well-received, and Hydro got a lot of backlash after deciding to end the two –year pilot.
Hydro left the program to be handled by Efficiency Manitoba, which has extended the program's hiatus to 4 years.
Dauphin Community Energy Manager, Steve Sobering, says the gap in the rebate is going to have a big impact on the industry that it created.
“Without that incentive, I think it won’t be a feasible investment for a lot of residential homeowners,” said Sobering. “You can still purchase solar PVs but I think you have to have a larger level of consumption in order to make it financially viable now.”
Sobering hopes the program does indeed come back because it made people more willing to make their home efficient.
When the program was first introduced, Hydro expected to receive around 100 applicants but ended up receiving more than 1,500.
Manitoba Efficiency says it pushed back the reimplementation of the program because it needs at least 2 years to research and coordinate with Hydro to figure out a plan going forward.
