Neighbourhood Solar

A resident-led community energy pilot — Ottawa

Join your neighbours in making Ottawa a climate-resilient community.

Home energy upgrades spread faster when people can see them, hear that local action is normal, and compare options with nearby neighbours. This pilot helps households move together on solar, batteries, heat pumps, and EV charging.

Register interest How it works Print & share materials

No sales pressure. No commission. Neighbours set the pace.

Neighbourhood Solar helps Ottawa residents form local purchasing cohorts for independently owned home-energy upgrades. It complements existing advice, financing and utility programs by making contractor proposals easier to request and compare.

This is a resident-led initiative, not a City of Ottawa, Hydro Ottawa or contractor program.

This is a neighbour-to-neighbour initiative to help more homes in our neighbourhood add solar and battery backup. Group purchasing does not mean neighbours share electricity — each home needs its own assessment, approval and contract, and Hydro Ottawa must approve any grid-connected system.

Local momentum

Cohort progress tracker Example

The numbers below are illustrative, not live registrations. When a real cohort forms, the tracker shows how many neighbours have registered non-binding interest toward a group target.

15 of 20 homes registered
Registered 15
Target 20
Still needed 5

Already using less energy? Join as a Neighbourhood Climate Pioneer. Visible action helps the next household feel that this is normal here.

Why this matters

Ottawa homeowners face real complexity across federal, provincial, and municipal incentive programs. A neighbourhood approach can help cut through that confusion and reduce soft costs for contractors.

We are looking for residents interested in:

  • Solar panels
  • Battery backup during outages
  • Insulation and air sealing
  • Heat pumps and home electrification
  • EV charging
  • Better financing and warranty options
  • Transparent comparison of contractor proposals

Solar as the first cohort opportunity

Solar is a practical, visible subject for a first group purchase: it is easy to picture, easy to talk about with neighbours, and often more attainable than adding batteries right away. That is why this pilot leads with solar.

Solar may not be the first technical improvement every house needs. Roof condition, shading, insulation and electrical capacity — and future heat-pump or EV charging demand — can matter more for some homes. For whole-home planning, talk to Better Homes Ottawa or an independent energy advisor before committing.

Battery backup instead of a gas generator

Many households are considering generators because of storms and power outages. Solar panels alone do not normally power a home during an outage. Backup power requires compatible battery, inverter, isolation and electrical equipment.

Batteries are not the right answer for every home, and they can be expensive. But if several households are already considering generators, a coordinated solar-plus-battery option may be worth comparing clearly and honestly.

How neighbours build momentum

People act faster when they see nearby homes moving first. This process is designed to make the choice visible, social, and easy to join.

  1. Register interest. Share your name, email, and general location. No purchase commitment.
  2. Watch the count grow. The cohort tracker shows how many nearby homes have registered interest so far.
  3. Invite local contractors. Once enough nearby homes register, we ask contractors to quote for the cluster of homes.
  4. Compare options openly. Residents see equipment, warranties, timelines, and pricing side by side.
  5. Choose individually. Every household decides on its own. Group momentum makes the process easier, not mandatory.
  6. Share what worked. Yard signs, window decals, and short neighbour stories help the next block move faster.

If your home already performs well, you still matter. Climate Pioneers make efficient choices visible, answer questions, and set the local norm.

Possible group targets

5 homes, 10 homes, 20 homes. Larger groups may create stronger pricing, scheduling, and procurement advantages.

What we may ask for

The cohort will ask contractors whether they can offer better pricing or warranty terms at different participation levels. Any resident benefit must be shown in the submitted proposals.

What we will avoid

Hidden referral fees, exclusive backroom deals, vague savings claims, and pressure tactics.

Current incentive programs — Ottawa–Gatineau region

Programs and eligibility can change. Confirm current requirements before signing a contract or beginning work.

Last verified 2026-09-03.

Working with Hydro Ottawa

Neighbourhood Solar is not a Hydro Ottawa program. Each grid-connected system needs Hydro Ottawa approval, and grid capacity and Electrical Safety Authority requirements apply to every home. GridFlex is currently limited to eligible locations and equipment.

Common questions from residents

Does this cost anything to join?

No. Registering your interest is free and non-binding. There is no commission on any contractor deal, and no fee to be part of the cohort.

Am I obligated to buy anything?

No. Every household decides independently whether and when to sign a contract. Group momentum makes the process easier to navigate — it does not commit you to a purchase.

What if my home already has solar or an efficient setup?

You can still register as a Neighbourhood Climate Pioneer. Visible local action helps the next household feel that upgrading is normal here.

How does a bigger group help me get a better price?

Grouped site visits, sales and scheduling may reduce contractor costs when they can quote for 5, 10, 20 homes at once instead of chasing single leads. The cohort will ask whether that allows better pricing or warranty terms, and any resident benefit must be shown in the submitted proposals.

Interested in learning more?

Register your interest. No purchase commitment. We will contact you when enough nearby homes have signed up to organize an information session.

Register your interest

Email to register interest

Registration is non-binding. Your information will be used only to contact you about this initiative and will not be shared with contractors without your permission. To withdraw or ask us to delete your information, email mike.gifford@gmail.com.