Two-sided flyer
A half-sheet flyer with a QR code to register. Print, cut, and drop in mailboxes or hand out door to door.
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.
No sales pressure. No commission. Neighbours set the pace.
This project is designed to make the local choice visible. The goal is not to push one vendor or one technology. The goal is to help households see that nearby homes are acting together, then make a clear decision with better information and less friction.
This is not a commercial effort. This is a neighbour-to-neighbour initiative to get more houses in our neighbourhood connected to solar tied to battery backups. All of this should be tied to Ottawa Hydro to support grid fluctuations, but we're not there yet.
Local momentum
Cohort Progress Tracker
📍 Ottawa Ward Progress: 7 neighbors registered. 3 more needed to unlock a 10% group contractor discount.
Registered
7
Target
10
Discount
10%
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 panels as the first step
For many homes, solar is the most attainable place to start. It is often more affordable than adding batteries right away, and it can deliver a strong long-term return by lowering electricity bills over time.
That is why we are leading with solar in this pilot. When neighbours move together, installers can often reduce soft costs like sales, travel, and scheduling overhead. That can translate into better group pricing, clearer options, and a simpler process for everyone.
Battery backup instead of a gas generator
Many households are considering generators because of storms and power outages. A battery backup system can provide quiet, automatic emergency power without gasoline storage, engine maintenance, fumes, or noise.
Batteries are not the right answer for every home. 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.
- Register interest. Share your name, email, and general location. No purchase commitment.
- Watch the count grow. The cohort tracker shows how close the neighbourhood is to the next discount threshold.
- Invite local contractors. Once the group is large enough, we ask qualified contractors to quote for the cluster of homes.
- Compare options openly. Residents see equipment, warranties, timelines, and pricing side by side.
- Choose individually. Every household decides on its own. Group momentum makes the process easier, not mandatory.
- 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.
Open-source outreach kit
Print & share materials
Not everyone finds out about the cohort online. These are the offline and email tools for spreading the word door to door, on community boards, and by email — no tracking, no sign-up required to use them.
One-sided poster
A full-page poster with a neighbourhood map and QR code — no email address shown. Good for community boards, storefront windows, and utility poles (check local bylaws first).
Sample outreach email
Use a short, neighbor-to-neighbor email to invite people into the cohort. The template keeps the tone local, simple, and low pressure.
Possible group targets
5 homes, 10 homes, 20 homes. Larger groups may create stronger pricing, scheduling, and procurement advantages.
What we may ask for
Upgraded equipment options, a group price reduction of around 10%, and a 10-year workmanship warranty.
What we will avoid
Hidden referral fees, exclusive backroom deals, vague savings claims, and pressure tactics.
Available incentive programs — Ottawa–Gatineau region
These programs may reduce costs. Verify eligibility directly with each program before relying on them in your planning.
- Ontario Electricity Rebate Provincial
- Enbridge Home Efficiency Rebate Plus Utility
- Hydro Ottawa - Types of DERs (Net Metering) Utility
- Home Renovation Savings - Solar Provincial
- Better Homes Ottawa - Loan Program Municipal
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?
Contractors save on sales, travel, and scheduling overhead when they can quote for 5, 10, 20 homes at once instead of chasing single leads. That saving is passed on as a group discount and stronger warranty terms.
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