A Saanich renewable energy company is grappling with hundreds of thousands of dollars in inventory after the B.C. government in Canada cut Tesla products from the BC Hydro energy rebate program, effective March 12, 2025.
Josh Shepherd, general manager of High Tide Energy, says the sudden change has left his business scrambling. The company, which specializes in battery storage and solar panel installations for homes, businesses, and remote Indigenous communities, received the notification from BC Hydro at 4 p.m. on March 12—giving no time to prepare.
“We got an email at the end of a business day – giving no notice,” Shepherd said to CHEK News.
The change, announced by Premier David Eby at a press conference on March 13, targets Tesla products specifically, citing U.S. tariffs and political concerns.
“It’s just for Tesla and it’s because of Elon Musk,” Eby said, adding, “I think that if British Columbians heard that $10,000 of taxpayer money was going to Elon Musk, they’d want to throw up, so we removed them from the program.”
Tesla’s Powerwall home battery system, used by High Tide Energy, previously qualified for rebates of up to $10,000 to $20,000 through BC Hydro. The removal of Tesla products from the program impacts not just the Powerwall but also Tesla chargers and inverters.
High Tide Energy now faces a significant financial burden. Shepherd estimates they have about $200,000 CAD ($139,000 USD) worth of Tesla inventory that may not move easily.
“We have inventory that’s not going to move easily. Not just Powerwalls—wiring harnesses, mounts, and other components that we stock to avoid delays,” Shepherd explained.
The timing is particularly tough, with several clients already mid-installation and deposits paid. Shepherd says 70% of their business involves residential clients, while 30% serves commercial projects and remote Indigenous communities.
Many clients signed up for installations because of the rebate. BC Hydro has confirmed that products purchased or approved before March 12 will still qualify for rebates, but Shepherd fears the wording of the policy could lead to confusion or some clients being denied.
“This short-sighted, knee-jerk decision has made it so that businesses are impacted but before that, the clients that are halfway through an install are basically shutting down and that’s awful,” he said.
BC Hydro did not comment, but its website states the move is part of a push to prioritize Canadian-made products and phase out U.S.-made goods in rebate programs where possible.
Musk called the move “crazy” later on, as B.C. was targeting Tesla but leaving in other U.S. energy products.
Shepherd says his company will now switch to other products but notes Tesla remains their largest client. He also emphasized that Tesla’s Powerwall systems help reduce the strain on BC Hydro’s grid during peak hours between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m.
“This doesn’t affect Elon,” Shepherd said. “It affects businesses like ours and the clients who are now stuck.”
