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Solar Payback in Quebec City 2026

Quebec City solar systems typically pay for themselves in 18 years. See the math by system size, with Hydro-Quebec rates and available Quebec rebates.

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Short answer

Solar in Quebec City typically pays back in 18 years for a right-sized 6 to 10 kW residential system. Payback varies with your Hydro-Quebec rate (average 7.3¢/kWh), 2,010 annual sun hours in Quebec City, net system cost after Quebec rebates, and how much production you self-consume. See system-by-system math below.

18 yrs

Typical Payback

7.3¢/kWh

Electricity Rate

2,010

Sun Hours/Year

$3.35/W

Installed Cost

How Quebec City Solar Payback Is Calculated

Payback (years) = Net System Cost / Annual Bill Savings

Net system cost is your installed cost minus available rebates. Annual bill savings equal annual production times your effective rate, adjusted for self-consumption. In Quebec City, we use 2,010 sun hours, 13% capacity factor, Hydro-Quebec rate 7.3¢/kWh, and 85% self-consumption.

Assumptions used on this page

  • • Installed cost mid-range: $3.35 per watt
  • • Annual production: 13% capacity factor times 8,760 hours per year
  • • Electricity rate: 7.3¢/kWh flat (does not model TOU or ULO)
  • • Rebate: None modelled (some provinces have utility credits or municipal financing)
  • • Self-consumption ratio: 85%
  • • No rate escalation modelled (real payback is shorter with rate increases)

Quebec City Payback by System Size

SystemSystem costRebateNet costAnnual savingsPayback
4 kW$13,400—$13,400$283/yr47.3 yrs
6 kW$20,100—$20,100$424/yr47.4 yrs
8 kW$26,800—$26,800$565/yr47.4 yrs
10 kW$33,500—$33,500$707/yr47.4 yrs
12 kW$40,200—$40,200$848/yr47.4 yrs

Estimates assume 13% capacity factor, 7.3¢/kWh, 85% self-consumption, no rate escalation. Actual payback varies with roof orientation, shading, usage pattern, and financing.

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Quebec City Solar Payback FAQs

— Sources: NRCan, Hydro-Quebec published rates.