Whereas BC Hydro has a 2024 Call for Power indicating the need for an additional 3,000 GWhyear as early as fall 2028; And whereas CleanBC Roadmap to 2030 advocates for low-carbon energy production: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urges the provincial government to incentivize BC citizens to invest in individual low-carbon power generation, such as solar panels for residential and commercial property owners, to alleviate the burden on the electrical grid and provide self-sufficiency for more rural and remote communities, aiding in the provincial goals through CleanBC.
Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions The Province is committed to ensuring that all British Columbians have access to affordable, clean, and reliable electricity. BC Hydro supports the installation of solar panels on residential and commercial buildings through their self-generation program, which as of September 2025, has over 15,000 participating customers. BC Hydro is currently seeking approval from the BC Utilities Commission BCUC to update and expand its self-generation program to include a community generation option of up to one megawatt to help encourage community-based clean generation that can be shared among multiple customers. BC Hydro also offers solar and battery installation rebates of up to 5,000 each for residential customers and 10,000 each for commercial customers. These rebates are funded through BC Hydro rates rather than taxpayer dollars and support the Provinces clean energy goals. While Fortis Electric does not offer a rebate program, they offer a net-metering rate for customers that are interested in installing solar panels and other customer-based clean energy generation technologies. Further, to support First Nations clean energy development, including for remote community First Nations, the Province provides funding through the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund administered by the Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions, and the BC Indigenous Clean Energy Initiative and Community Energy Diesel Reduction program, which are administered by the New Relationship Trust. Funding is available for capacity development, community energy planning, demand side management initiatives, and clean energy development.