Nova Scotia launches a Community Solar Program to expand renewable energy access

To expand access to renewable energy options and reduce carbon emissions, the Province of Nova Scotia has unveiled its new Community Solar Program.

This initiative allows community groups and businesses to establish solar gardens and sell their generated electricity to subscribers who may not have the means to install solar panels on their own properties.

“Not everyone has the ability to install their own solar panels. This program creates the opportunity to buy solar energy from a community provider instead,” stated Tory Rushton, Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables. “This is just one of the many changes we’re making to give Nova Scotians clean, reliable power at affordable rates, while helping us reach our climate change goals.”

Addressing Barriers to Solar Energy

The Community Solar Program addresses various barriers preventing individuals from installing solar panels, such as limited roof space, excessive shading, or residency in shared housing arrangements. Eligible entities, including non-profits, co-operatives, First Nations communities, municipalities, businesses, universities, and colleges, are permitted to construct and own solar gardens under this program.

Expected to be operational by Spring 2026, these solar gardens will offer subscriptions to interested individuals at a slightly reduced power rate. This initiative aligns with the Province’s commitment to introduce at least 500 megawatts of new local, renewable energy by 2026, along with an additional 50 megawatts of new community solar projects.

Solar Industry Growth and Support

“Solar Nova Scotia is thrilled to see the launch of the provincial Community Solar Program, an initiative that will extend the benefits of solar energy to a wider range of Nova Scotians,” remarked David Brushett, Chair of Solar Nova Scotia. “This program will lead to strong growth in the solar industry and contribute to the ambitious shared goal of transitioning away from coal-based electricity in Nova Scotia by 2030.”

To support the implementation of community solar projects, the Province has allocated $5.2 million in funding for the 2024-25 fiscal year. Each megawatt of solar power generated can sustain approximately 131 homes for a year, and each community solar garden has the potential to produce up to 10 megawatts of power.

Innovative Tools for Solar Project Management

As more communities adopt solar gardens, asset managers are utilizing innovative tools to help streamline the management of these types of assets. PowerHub’s recently launched Community Solar Tool simplifies project management tasks such as invoicing, subscriber management, analytics, and user experience enhancements—making all of these features accessible from a centralized platform.

PowerHub’s Community Solar Tool streamlines the management of shared solar energy projects and contributes to the broader goal of achieving a cleaner, greener future.

If you’re interested in a more personalized experience, you can request a demo to see PowerHub’s Community Solar invoicing and subscriber management capabilities in action. The PowerHub team is always there to guide you, answer any questions, and show you just how easy it is to use their platform.

With PowerHub, managing Community Solar projects has never been easier.