How to Pick the Right Solar Company in Vancouver

In this episode, SolarEnergies.ca, break down the best solar companies in Vancouver and BC for 2025–2026 and how the game has fully changed. 

Here’s what we cover in this episode:

• The new reality after Greener Homes
  No more federal 0% loan. No more grant for new applicants. I explain what’s actually left that matters:
  • The BC Hydro Solar & Battery Rebate (up to $5,000 for panels + $5,000 for batteries)
  • The PST exemption on solar equipment in BC
  • How banks and credit unions step in now, with things like Vancity’s Planet-Wise loans
• Why stability beats “cheapest quote” every single time
  I go through why your workmanship warranty matters more than any brochure:
  • 2-year warranty (Polaron-style) – legally fine, but very weak for a big investment
  • 5–10 years – solid, basic confidence
  • 25 years – Shift Energy’s level: very serious commitment
  • Lifetime bundled roof+solar – Penfolds territory, great if you’re changing your roof
• Deep, honest look at 7 major players in Vancouver & BC:
  • Polaron – the financing machine: 0% and low monthly payments, but only a 2-year workmanship warranty and very mixed post-install reviews.
  • Shift Energy Group – 25-year workmanship + production guarantee, strong service, Financeit promos, and a real “we’ll be here” feeling.
  • Penfolds Roofing & Solar – in BC since 1937, ideal if you’re doing roof + solar together and want one company on the hook for everything.
  • Vancouver Renewable Energy (VREC) – worker-owned co-op, engineering-first, great for people who care about clean design and long-term support.
  • Hakai Energy Solutions – off-grid and battery experts, responsible for projects like Vancouver Fire Hall 17 and BC’s biggest solar microgrid.
  • Solarcor Energy – Western Canada player with most projects in AB/SK; works in BC, but isn’t as local or finance-heavy as they used to be.
  • Terratek Energy – BC veteran since 2005, with hundreds of homes and 50+ schools under their belt, strong on Tesla Powerwall and municipal work.
• Financing options that actually exist in 2025–2026
  I walk you through the three real paths:
  • In-house 0% / low-interest: mainly Polaron, with higher total prices baked in.
  • Third-party promos: Shift + Financeit, 0% for 12 months then regular rates.
  • Rebate stacking + your own bank: VREC, Hakai, Terratek, Penfolds; use rebates, PST savings, and green loans from a credit union or your HELOC.
• Red-flag and green-flag questions to ask every installer
  You’ll hear the exact questions I’d tell a friend to ask before signing anything:
  • “What’s my cash price vs financed price?”
  • “How long is your workmanship warranty, and what exactly does it cover?”
  • “Are you using Enphase, APsystems, or Hoymiles, and why?”
  • “If my system fails, who do I call first, and how fast do you respond?”

If you’re serious about solar panels in Vancouver or anywhere in BC, this episode will save you time, money, and headaches.

Want to see rough numbers for your own roof?
 Head over to SolarEnergies.ca and use the calculator to get a quick estimate before you talk to sales reps.