Quick answer: Toronto's HELP Loan lets homeowners borrow up to $125,000 for solar panels at fixed rates (3.08% to 4.67%), repaid through property taxes over 20 years. Stack with HRSP ($10,000 rebate) for $0 upfront. No credit check. Program is open now.
Toronto homeowners can go solar for $0 out of pocket in 2026
The Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) from the City of Toronto provides up to $125,000 in fixed-rate financing for solar panels and battery storage, repaid through your property tax bill over 5, 10, 15, or 20 years. Combine it with the $10,000 HRSP rebate from Ontario's Home Renovation Savings Program and your monthly loan payment is often less than what you save on electricity. That's cash-flow positive solar from day one.
What Is the Toronto HELP Loan?
The Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) is a financing program run by the City of Toronto. It lets homeowners borrow up to $125,000 for energy upgrades, including rooftop solar panels and battery storage, and repay the loan through their property tax bill over 5, 10, 15, or 20 years.
Unlike a bank loan or HELOC, the HELP loan is tied to the property, not the homeowner. If you sell your house, the remaining balance transfers to the new owner. There are no prepayment penalties, and the interest rates are fixed for the entire term.
For Toronto homeowners who want solar but don't want to write a $25,000 cheque on day one, HELP is the most accessible financing path available in 2026.
Why HELP Is the Best Way to Finance Solar in Toronto
Most homeowners hit the same wall: solar makes financial sense long term, but the upfront cost is hard to justify when you're also managing a mortgage, property taxes, and everyday expenses. HELP removes that barrier entirely.
The loan sits on your property tax bill
You don't need to qualify for a new line of credit or put up collateral. If your property taxes are current and your mortgage lender consents, you're eligible.
Interest rates are well below personal loans
The 20-year rate on HELP is 4.67% fixed. Compare that to a personal loan at 8 to 12% or a credit card at 20%+. Over 20 years, the difference in interest paid is tens of thousands of dollars.
You can stack HELP with the $10,000 HRSP rebate
Ontario's Home Renovation Savings Program provides up to $5,000 for solar panels and $5,000 for battery storage. That rebate reduces your loan amount, which lowers your monthly payments further.
The loan transfers if you sell
Because the loan is a Local Improvement Charge on the property, the new buyer assumes the remaining balance. You're not stuck carrying debt on a house you no longer own.
HELP Loan Interest Rates and Monthly Payments (2026)
The City of Toronto publishes fixed rates that don't fluctuate over the term of the loan:
| Term | Fixed Interest Rate |
|---|---|
| 5 years | 3.08% |
| 10 years | 3.92% |
| 15 years | 4.41% |
| 20 years (solar eligible) | 4.67% |
The 20-year term is only available for projects that include solar panels, heat pumps, geothermal, or window replacements. A 2% administrative fee is added to reflect the City's cost of running the program.
What Your Monthly Payments Actually Look Like
| Scenario | System Cost | After $10K HRSP | HELP Loan | Monthly (20yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 kW solar | $22,000 | $12,000 | $12,000 | ~$55/mo |
| 10 kW solar + battery | $32,000 | $22,000 | $22,000 | ~$100/mo |
| 12 kW solar + battery | $38,000 | $28,000 | $28,000 | ~$128/mo |
The average Toronto homeowner spends $180 to $250 per month on electricity. A properly sized solar system offsets 70 to 90% of that bill. In many cases, the monthly energy savings exceed the HELP loan payment from day one. That's cash-flow positive solar.
Who Qualifies for the HELP Loan?
Your property is in Toronto
The postal code must start with "M". This covers all of Toronto proper, from Scarborough to Etobicoke, North York to downtown.
You own a low-rise residential building
Detached homes, semi-detached, row houses, duplexes, triplexes, and any residential building up to three storeys and six units.
Your property taxes and utility payments are current
No more than three instances of being 60 days past due in the last three years.
All owners on the property title consent
If the property is co-owned, every person on the title needs to agree.
Your mortgage lender consents
The City provides a Lender Consent Form. Most major Canadian banks (TD, RBC, Scotiabank, BMO, CIBC) are familiar with HELP and routinely approve these.
There is no credit score check. There is no income verification. The City is not lending based on your personal finances. They're lending based on the property's assessed value. The total loan (including interest and admin fee) cannot exceed 10% of your property's Current Value Assessment or $125,000, whichever is less.
How to Apply: Step by Step
Submit Your Application
Go to the City of Toronto's HELP application page and fill out the online form. The City reviews your application and confirms eligibility within 5 to 7 business days. Once approved, you receive a funding offer with your maximum eligible amount.
Get a Home Energy Assessment
Book an EnerGuide evaluation with a registered Energy Advisor. This basement-to-attic review covers insulation, heating, cooling, and air sealing. You get a Renovation Upgrade Report and your current EnerGuide rating. Solar X can connect you with a registered advisor in your area.
Get Your Solar Quote and Submit a Funding Request
Solar X designs a system based on your roof, energy usage, and goals, whether that's maximizing bill savings, energy independence, or qualifying for the maximum HRSP rebate. Your funding request includes the improvement list, contractor quotes, and estimated rebate amounts.
Sign the Agreement and Start Your Project
Once you sign the Property Owner Agreement, the City can release up to 30% of the funds upfront. Solar X handles everything from here: system design, permitting, ESA inspection, installation, and Toronto Hydro activation.
Complete Installation and Final Inspection
After installation, your Energy Advisor returns for a post-retrofit assessment and issues a new EnerGuide rating. Submit the Project Completion Report and contractor invoices to the City. They release the remaining funds.
Repay Through Your Property Tax Bill
Loan payments begin approximately 60 days after your file is closed. You make 11 monthly payments per year through Pre-Authorized Tax Payment. You can pay off the balance early at any time.
Processing Times
| Stage | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Application review | 5 to 7 business days |
| Funding offer (after lender consent) | 5 to 7 business days |
| Property Owner Agreement creation | Up to 15 business days |
| Project completion review and final payment | 10 business days |
| First loan payment begins | 60 days after file closure |
HELP + HRSP: How to Stack Financing and Rebates
Toronto homeowners currently have the strongest solar financing stack in Canada. Here's how to use every dollar available:
Ontario HRSP Rebate: Up to $10,000
$5,000 for solar panels ($1,000/kW installed) plus $5,000 for battery storage ($300/kWh). Requires load displacement design (no net metering export). Administered by Save On Energy.
Toronto HELP Loan: Up to $125,000
Covers the remaining cost after the HRSP rebate. Finance over 20 years at 4.67% fixed. Repay through property taxes.
Enbridge Home Efficiency Rebate (HER+)
If you're also doing insulation, air sealing, or a heat pump alongside solar, Enbridge offers additional rebates that stack with both HELP and HRSP.
The Math for a Typical Toronto Home
A 10 kW solar system with a 13.5 kWh battery costs approximately $32,000 to $36,000 fully installed.
After the $10,000 HRSP rebate, you finance $22,000 to $26,000 through HELP.
At the 20-year rate of 4.67%, your monthly HELP payment is approximately $100 to $118.
Your electricity bill drops by $150 to $220/month through load displacement and peak shaving.
Net monthly savings from day one: $30 to $100+
Load Displacement vs. Net Metering: Which Path?
Toronto homeowners need to choose one of two paths when going solar. This decision affects your rebate eligibility, system design, and long-term savings.
Path A: HRSP + Load Displacement
Recommended for most homeowners
Take the $10,000 HRSP rebate. Size your system to consume all solar on-site. Pair with battery storage to shift cheap overnight power (3.9¢/kWh on the Ultra-Low Overnight plan) to expensive peak hours (39.1¢/kWh on Toronto Hydro). That's a 10x price difference working in your favour.
Path B: Net Metering (No HRSP)
Best for high daytime consumption
Skip the rebate and send excess solar to the grid for 1:1 bill credits that roll over for 12 months. No battery required. Lower total system cost but no upfront rebate to reduce the price.
Solar X models both paths for every customer during the consultation. We show you the 10-year and 25-year ROI for each option based on your actual hydro bill, roof orientation, and energy usage patterns.
Why Toronto Homeowners Choose Solar X for HELP Loan Projects
We manage the entire HELP process
From your initial application to the City, through the energy assessment coordination, system design, permitting, ESA inspection, installation, Toronto Hydro connection, and final project completion report. You don't manage two separate processes. We handle one streamlined project.
We know the HELP workflow
Our project managers work with the City's HELP team regularly and understand the documentation requirements, timelines, and common sticking points. That means fewer delays and faster activation.
We design systems for your financial return
Whether you're going the HRSP rebate path or net metering, we model your specific roof, energy usage, and rate plan to show you the exact payback timeline and monthly savings before you commit.
ESA-certified installation crews
Every Solar X installation is completed by licensed electricians and certified technicians. We carry full liability insurance and provide a 25-year workmanship warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I combine the Toronto HELP loan with other rebates?
Yes. HELP can be stacked with the Ontario HRSP rebate ($10,000 for solar + battery), Enbridge HER+ rebates, and the City of Toronto's Rooftop Solar Incentive. Solar X identifies every applicable program during your consultation and handles all the applications.
Does the HELP loan require a credit check?
No. HELP is not based on your personal credit. The City evaluates your property's eligibility based on assessed value, tax payment history, and ownership. No credit score check, no income verification.
What happens to the HELP loan if I sell my home?
The HELP loan transfers to the new property owner. Because the loan is secured as a Local Improvement Charge on the property, the buyer assumes the remaining balance and continues repayment through their property taxes. Solar adds resale value without adding personal debt.
Can I pay off the HELP loan early?
Yes. You can pay off the outstanding balance at any time during the loan term. Early repayment is subject to a Revenue Services service fee from the City, but there are no prepayment penalties on the loan itself.
Do I need an energy assessment for the HELP loan?
Yes. An EnerGuide home evaluation by a registered Energy Advisor is required for HELP financing. This is also required for most Ontario rebate programs. The assessment identifies which improvements will have the biggest impact and is used to verify the work after installation.
Is net metering allowed with HELP-financed solar?
It depends on which rebate path you choose. If you take the HRSP rebate, your system must be sized for load displacement only and net metering is not permitted. If you skip the HRSP rebate, you can use HELP financing with a net metering setup. Solar X models both paths for every customer.
How much can I borrow through the Toronto HELP loan?
Up to $125,000, or 10% of your property's Current Value Assessment, whichever is lower. For most Toronto homes, this covers a full solar and battery installation with room for additional energy improvements.
What interest rates does the HELP loan charge?
HELP rates are fixed for the full term: 3.08% for 5 years, 3.92% for 10 years, 4.41% for 15 years, and 4.67% for 20 years. A 2% administrative fee is added. The 20-year term is only available for projects that include solar, heat pumps, geothermal, or windows.
Get Your Free HELP Loan Solar Assessment
Ready to go solar with $0 upfront? Solar X will review your HELP eligibility, analyse your hydro bill, design a system for your roof, and show you the exact monthly payment and payback timeline.
We handle every application, permit, and inspection from start to finish.
Serving every Toronto neighbourhood: Scarborough, Etobicoke, North York, Downtown, East York, York, and all M-prefix postal codes
Related Guides
The City of Toronto's website is the only official source of information about the HELP program. Rates and terms shown are based on the City's published schedule and may change. Solar X is not affiliated with the City of Toronto. We are a registered contractor eligible to complete HELP-financed projects.