Please be advised applications are processed through the MNO website only as MNO is the sole distributor of this program.
The Métis Nation of Ontario Solar Panel Program (MNO-SPP) is providing financial assistance to Métis citizen homeowners to promote the use of solar energy to reduce their carbon footprints and lower hydro bills. The MNO-SPP offers eligible MNO citizens a one-time forgivable loan to support the installation of a minimum 5kW AC sized rooftop solar system. To earn complete loan forgiveness, the citizen must retain ownership of the property as their primary residence for a full 2-year term following project completion.
Applicants are encouraged to conduct their own research on solar panels to determine if their household would benefit from this program prior to applying. Solar panels need adequate sunlight to be effective and may require ongoing maintenance throughout their lifespan. The MNO does not provide assistance with ongoing maintenance needs to successful applicants.
Eligibility Criteria
The applicant:
- Must be a registered citizen of the Métis Nation of Ontario
- 18 years of age or older
- Must own and occupy the home as their primary residence
- MNO citizen must be a title owner
- Property taxes paid up-to-date
Property specifications:
- Must be located in Ontario and off reserve
- Have valid property insurance including liability coverage
- Roof must face east, west, or south and receive direct sunlight for at least half the day
- Roof is structurally sound and at least 280 square feet
- Electrical panel must meet minimum requirements as determined by the installer
- Panel size of at least 100 amps with 125 amp busbar
- Room for a double pole breaker
- Must be connected to the grid and have capacity to net meter
- Other specifications may be required by the solar panel installer and your local authorities
Eligible dwellings:
- Single-detached homes
- Semi-detached homes
- Townhouse/rowhouse
- Residential outbuildings (e.g. detached garages)
- Must be covered within the property insurance policy and meet all applicable property specifications
- Must be connected to the hydro meter of the primary residence
Eligible expenses:
- 5kW+ rooftop net metering solar system
- Minimum 5kW Solar Panels
- Minimum 5kW Inverter(s)
- Bi-directional meter
- Racking
- Breakers
- Disconnection box
- All required wiring
- Installation costs
- Approvals
- Utility connection
- Building permit
- Engineer assessment
- Electrical Safety Authority
- Additional costs may be considered
Ineligible expenses:
- Batteries
- Trenching or additional wiring for outbuildings
- On-going maintenance
- Upgrades to existing solar systems
- Repairs or upgrades to the property needed for installation approval
- Removal or replacement of existing solar panels
Documents and pictures are mandatory throughout the application process for program evaluation. These documents include:
- Métis Nation of Ontario Citizenship Card: Citizen checks are completed with MNO Registry to confirm completed files as per MNO Policy #2021-001: Eligibility for Direct Benefit Programs and Services. If you are unsure about your status, please contact MNO Registry to verify: https://www.metisnation.org/registry/.
- Photo ID: All title owners/applicants and co-applicants are required to include their photo ID showing the property address (Drivers License or Ontario Photo Card)
- Property Tax Bill: Most recent Property Tax Bill (must be paid up to date)
- Property Insurance: Current property insurance policy in its entirety confirming coverage and liability.
- Electricity Bill: Complete copy of recent electricity bill
- Property Photos:
- Exterior photos of the front, back, and roof of the home (and proposed outbuilding if applicable)
- Photos of electrical panel in proposed building(s) showing all breakers
Applicants are encouraged to conduct their own research on solar panel systems before applying. Here are some resources:
- https://natural-resources.canada.ca/energy/energy-sources-distribution/renewables/solar-photovoltaic-energy/7303
- https://renewablesassociation.ca/solar-energy/
- https://www.energyhub.org/
- https://www.ontario.ca/page/rooftop-solar-installations-rural-buildings
- Applying to the program does NOT guarantee funding approval. Applications are reviewed in the order received and assessed based on priority. As funds are limited, only applicants who receive written final approval will be guaranteed assistance. Any false or misleading information will immediately disqualify your application and you will be unable to re-apply to the program. Any work started prior to receiving written final approval will not be eligible and your application will be closed.
- Applicant’s must meet all property specifications recommended by the solar panel installer to be considered for program funding.
- Should it be determined that the applicant’s roof, electrical panel, or other specifications not meet the requirements during the initial application review, the application will be declined.
- The Métis Nation of Ontario and/or Solar Panel Program will not cover any additional costs for installs on outbuildings and/or repairs or upgrades to meet program requirements, including but not limited to: trenching and additional wiring, electrical, structural, landscaping, estimate fees, inspections, or any other cost not authorized by the program.
- It is recommended that applicants do not require roof repairs or replacement within the next 10 years, as additional costs may be associated with the removal and reinstallation of solar panels.
- If determined eligible by the program, applicants will be instructed in writing to source and provide three estimates from certified solar panel installers. Please do not obtain these estimates until the written request is provided.
- If determined eligible by the program, it is encouraged that the applicant checks with local bylaws to determine what permits and approvals are required. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure the solar installer includes estimates for permits and approvals from Authority Having Jurisdiction (i.e. electrical, health and environmental authorities, municipal building department, etc.) and holds the appropriate credentials, including but not limited to insurance and WSIB.
- The installation of solar panels may result in savings to the usage on your electricity bill, but will not eliminate other account and delivery fees.
- The Solar Panel Program does not fund the upgrade or replacement of existing solar panel systems. Including but not limited to solar panels, batteries, maintenance, removal etc.
- A title search of the property is completed by program staff to confirm if the Métis applicant is a title owner.
- Neither MNO nor its Solar Panel Program is partnered with any specific solar panel retailers or installers. Solar panel retailers or installers claiming to be partnered with MNO, or using MNO’s name or logos in their advertising, are doing so without permission. MNO does not endorse any specific solar panel retailer or installer.
- Program criteria are subject to change and the application may close without prior notice.
- An application may be declined at the sole discretion of the Solar Panel Program and MNO.
- An applicant’s solar panel retailer or installer must not have any interest or investment in the proposed property.
- The Métis Nation of Ontario does not hold responsibility or liability for maintenance, faulty systems, or other concerns related to the installation of the solar system, including but not limited to contractors, workmanship, disputes, etc.
- Applicant(s) are required to enter into a legal agreement with the MNO for a 2-year term to receive funds.
The Funding Agreement and Promissory Note include, but are not limited to, the following terms and conditions:
Loan Forgiveness
The MNO shall forgive 100% of the loan on the second anniversary of the Final Advance Date, provided that a default event has not occurred and the owner/ borrower has met all other program criteria.
Loan Repayment will only be required under the following conditions:
- Death of the homeowner(s); sale, rent, or transfer of the unit; and/or the home ceases to be the primary residence of the homeowner(s) prior to the loan forgiveness period being fully earned;
- Failure to submit proof of homeowners’ insurance, proof of address, current hydro bill annually;
- Homeowner provides fraudulent or misleading information in the original application.
In the case of 1), 2), or 3) the entire loan will need to be repaid in full.
Loan Security will be required:
- MNO-SPP requires a Funding Agreement and Promissory Note to be executed with the homeowner.
Additional Costs will be the responsibility of the homeowner, these costs may include but are not limited to:
- Inspections, deposits, and/or estimates from Solar Panel Installers;
- On-going costs for maintenance, removal/ disposal of solar systems;
- Any costs above the approved amount;
- Any cost above the maximum funding agreement;
- Any cost not authorized by MNO.
Funding Advancements will be released to the approved Solar Panel Installer once the owner has provided satisfactory evidence to MNO:
- Pictures of completed work;
- Final Invoice issued to Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO);
- Additional documents as required.
CONTACT: For more information about the MNO’s Homeowner Supports programming and services, please contact 705-722-5022 x 302 or email HomeownerSupports@metisnation.org
Solar Panel FAQs
A forgivable loan is a loan that does not require repayment if the program’s terms and conditions are met. To earn forgiveness of the Solar Panel Program loan, the owner/borrower must maintain ownership of the property as their full-time primary residence for a full 2-year term.
Additional terms and conditions are outlined in the Funding Agreement and Promissory Note.
Unfortunately, the program will only fund the installation of a new solar system. The program cannot fund the upgrade or replacement of existing solar panel systems.
This will depend on the amount of direct sunlight your home receives throughout the day. Savings will only apply to the electricity charges of your monthly bill, not the delivery or account fees. You may notice less savings throughout the winter months when daylight hours are shorter.
Refer to the main breaker of your electrical panel.
Typically, if you have room for two single pole breakers side by side there is likely room for a double pole breaker.
While ultimately the solar installer will have a qualified person make this decision, the applicant can guess based on the absence of missing shingles, lack of sagging across any portion of the roof, and the ability of the roof to carry a snow load.
You may apply to the program. However, it is suggested that your roof not require repairs within the next 10 years, as there are additional costs associated with removal and reinstallation of solar panels.
Yes, you can upgrade to a larger system or add a battery at your own expense if approved. All documentation provided to the program will have to be for the approved size. Batteries can only be connected in addition to net-metering. The program will not cover any overages or extra expenses that pertain to the upgrades.
There is no fixed or precise timeline as different steps in the process, such as estimates, permitting, and inspections can take various amounts of time for each application.
After the application is submitted, it will be reviewed for eligibility and a registry check will be completed to confirm MNO citizenship.
Once citizenship is confirmed and your application is deemed eligible, you will be asked to upload the required application documents (listed above) to your Survey Monkey account.
Documents will then be reviewed by a coordinator. If determined eligible, you will be instructed in writing to source and provide three estimates from certified solar panel installers via an Estimate Request Letter. Please do not obtain these estimates until the written request is provided.
Estimates will be reviewed by a program coordinator and management to determine which estimate meets all program requirements and is most cost effective.
A Summary of Work will then be sent for your review outlining the solar installer and loan amount based on your estimate. You will be given the opportunity to consent to your Summary of Work before moving forward.
Once your consent is received, a Conditional Approval document will be emailed to you for your review and e-signature.
Once the Conditional Approval is signed, it is your responsibly to obtain an “inspection” from your Solar Panel Installer confirming that your residence meets all required specifications of the MNO-SPP. There may be fees associated with the inspection requirements that are the responsibility of the applicant. Reimbursement can only be considered if the application receives final approval.
If, upon inspection by the Solar Panel Installer, your property does NOT meet all the required specifications, you will not be eligible for funding under the MNO-SPP and your CONDITIONAL approval will not be made FINAL.
If all specifications are proven to be met, the program can move forward with final approval. All title owners must sign and agree to the Funding Agreement and Promissory Note. Further instructions will be provided before proceeding with payment and installation.