Nova Scotia is investing in community solar with Indigenous and private sector partnerships

Nova Scotia is expanding its clean energy ambitions with a new slate of community solar gardens aimed at bringing low-cost renewable electricity to households and businesses unable to install their own solar panels.

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.

The province is investing $960,000 in a 4.8-megawatt project in Brooklyn, Annapolis County, and an additional $340,000 in a 1.7-megawatt installation in Sydney.

The developments are part of Nova Scotia’s Community Solar Program, a government initiative launched to make solar energy more accessible across income levels and housing types.

Unlike traditional rooftop systems, community solar allows subscribers—residential or commercial—to buy clean power from off-site solar arrays at a reduced cost.

“This is about investment in the community, more green jobs, and a greener grid,” said John White, MLA for Glace Bay-Dominion, in a government statement.

Indigenous and Private Sector Partnerships

The Brooklyn solar garden is being developed by AI Renewables in partnership with Potlotek First Nation.

“Potlotek’s involvement in clean energy is a powerful step toward honouring the land and ensuring a thriving future for generations to come,” said Tahirih Paul, economic development officer for Potlotek.

Each solar garden in the program can generate between 0.5 and 10 megawatts—enough to power more than 100 homes per megawatt annually, according to provincial estimates.

AI Renewables, a private developer focused on distributed solar infrastructure, is also working on community projects in West Petpeswick, the Halifax Regional Municipality, and a second Sydney installation in partnership with the Multicultural Association of Cape Breton.

The Sydney site, on Grand Lake Road, follows the 2023 launch of a 555-kilowatt solar garden in Pine Tree Park Estates, currently servicing 29 subscribers.

“With these projects, we’re transforming the vision of accessible clean energy into tangible reality,” said Aaron Rotenberg, CEO of AI Renewables.

Scaling Solar with Public Dollars

The investments come as Nova Scotia attempts to decarbonize its electricity grid and shift away from coal and natural gas.

Community solar—while still a small portion of total generation—is increasingly seen as a tool to build grid resilience and enable wider participation in the energy transition.

“This is a made-in-Nova Scotia solution,” said MLA David Bowlby. “It’s helping us power our green economy and move toward clean energy.”