If you’re installing a grid-connected solar system in Ontario, there are two fundamentally different ways to connect it—and they are not interchangeable.
Net Metering lets you export surplus electricity to the grid for credit.
Load Displacement does not—you can only use what you produce on site.
Load displacement (sometimes called ‘behind the meter’1) is getting a lot of attention right now because of an available grant. That’s understandable. But if the entire conversation is about chasing a grant, the system is being designed around an incentive—not your needs.
We see this a lot: load displacement gets presented as the option, because it’s easier to sell when there’s money on the table. That doesn’t make it the right fit.
The right choice depends on your priorities, not the current incentive program.
Here’s how Net Metering and Load Displacement actually stack up:
| Net Metering | Load Displacement | |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible for the Ontario Home Renovation Savings Program grant | ❌ | ✅ |
| Can be used to achieve net zero electricity from the grid | ✅ | ❌ |
| Uses 100% of my clean solar power | ✅ | ❌ |
| Generates utility credits for my excess solar power | ✅ | ❌ |
| Maximizes annual electricity bill savings | ✅ | ❌ |
| Maximize the use of my available roof space | ✅ | ⚠️ Maybe |
| Can be used without batteries | ✅ | ⚠️ Yes, with greatly reduced benefit |
| Can be used with batteries | ✅ | ✅ |
| Can use batteries for backup power | ✅ | ✅ |
| Can use batteries for arbitrage2 | ✅ | ✅ |
| Can use batteries for solar shifting3 | ✅ | ✅ |
| Can be combined with other electrical investments like heat pumps and EVs | ✅ | ✅ |
| Can be financed through betterhomesptbo.ca | ✅ | ✅ |
1The term ‘behind the meter’ is being applied to load displacement projects because all the energy is kept behind your utility meter. This use of the term is actually incorrect: Both net metering and load displacement projects are ‘behind the meter’ because both are installed on your side (or behind) your meter. Use the terms ‘net metering’, ‘load displacement’, and ‘export’ for clarity.
2Arbitrage is the act of ‘buying low, selling high’, or charging your battery when energy is cheap and discharging it when energy is expensive
3Solar Shifting is similar to arbitrage, but is based on sunshine: charge the battery when the sun is shining, discharge it in the evening after the sun has gone down to use more solar power over the day. This is important with load displacement, and is possible with both technologies