Nova Scotia launches new community solar program

Nova Scotia is taking a significant step towards a greener future with the launch of the NS Community Solar Program.

This initiative, which allows for the establishment of solar gardens across the province, is set to extend the benefits of solar energy to a wider range of Nova Scotians.

The program, which enables solar gardens of up to 10 MW each, is expected to drive strong growth in the solar industry while contributing to the ambitious goal of transitioning away from coal-based electricity in Nova Scotia by 2030.

“We are thrilled to see the launch of the NS Community Solar Program,” said a spokesperson from Solar NS on LinkedIn. This initiative will not only help communities get involved in developing renewable energy but also make solar energy more accessible to a broader audience, including renters, condos, and those with shaded roofs.

Community solar gardens will generate electricity that goes into the province’s main electricity grid, powering buildings, homes, and appliances of participating subscribers. This approach helps generate more clean energy and contributes to Nova Scotia’s target of achieving 80% renewable energy by 2030.

Nova Scotia is one of eastern Canada’s Maritime provinces on the Atlantic. Consisting of a peninsula and offshore islands, it’s home to puffins and seals, and popular for water sports like kayaking.

Subscribers to the community solar gardens will receive a credit on their electricity bill for the power generated by their share of the solar garden. This will help Nova Scotians save money on energy costs and encourage individuals and organizations to support renewable energy initiatives further.

The program is open to various community groups and organizations, including businesses, community economic and development investment funds, First Nation communities, municipalities, universities, and colleges. Interested parties can apply to become project owners and set up solar gardens on their properties.

Nova Scotia Power will review subscribers’ past and expected annual electricity use to determine the maximum number of kilowatt-hours they could offset with monthly solar electricity. This ensures subscribers receive accurate credits based on the solar energy generated. Subscribers can choose to offset a portion or all of their electricity usage, with the credit value set at 0.02 cents/kWh. They can also adjust their subscription at any time without penalty.

The NS Community Solar Program stands to accelerate the adoption of solar energy and empower communities to actively participate in the transition towards a more sustainable energy future, “We applaud the Government of Nova Scotia for their leadership on this initiative and look forward to the positive impact it will have on Nova Scotia communities and our members,” concluded the Solar NS spokesperson.