Nova Scotia Community Solar -

Nova Scotia Community Solar

The NS Community Solar Program seeks to expand solar energy to those residences or businesses who are interested in using green energy but are unable to install solar PV panels

Contracts Granted

Potential Projects

Community Solar Program Background

Nova Scotia is working toward 80% renewable energy by 2030 and becoming net-zero by 2035. Last year, the province announced its Clean Power Plan—a roadmap to reach climate goals that Nova Scotia Power are aligned with and supportive of. Community Solar Program, as part of the roadmap, was announced on March 1, 2024, by the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables. Nova Scotia’s Community Solar Program procurement will add up to 100 megawatts (MW) of clean, renewable solar generation to the grid, helping to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate climate change. Last year, the province announced its Clean Power Plan—a roadmap to reach climate goals that Nova Scotia Power are aligned with and supportive of.

Nova Scotia’s Community Solar Program Goals:

Add up to 100 megawatts (MW) of clean, renewable solar generation to the grid, helping to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate climate change.
Extend the benefits of solar generation to those unable to access it.
Support local economic development.

Interested in becoming a subscriber?

How it Works

Project owners construct, generate and operate the community solar garden
Generated solar energy is sold to Nova Scotia Power (NSP) through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)
Residences or businesses (Subscribers) enter into a Subscription Agreement with the Project Owner and continue buying energy from NSP and receive $0.02/kWh solar energy credit on their NSP bill
NSP administers the solar energy to subscribers, such as billing, payments
Project owners continue to engage subscribers and manage subscriptions
Applications are reviewed at a first come first serve basis
Contract terms are 25 years
PowerBank pays for removing the solar equipment and restoring the land to its prior condition (decommissioning)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Community Solar?

Community Solar in Nova Scotia seeks to expand solar energy by allowing community members to subscribe to a solar garden instead of putting panels on their own homes or properties. You then receive credit on your Nova Scotia Power (NSP) bill for the solar energy used.

Are these Community Solar projects associated with or owned by a Municipality?

No, the proposed projects are 100% privately financed, owned and operated. They are not associated with a Municipality.

What is the current stage of development for the projects?

Currently, the projects are in very early stages. Once we have completed all application requirements, we will submit our proposals to the Department of Energy. If selected for contracts, we would then proceed with detailed engineering.

Is there a cost to sign up?

There is no cost or commitment to subscribing. It is completely free.

How much credit does a subscriber receive?

The subscriber would receive $0.02 off per kWh used. This is approximately 10-15% off your NSP bill.

Where are construction team members hired from?

All construction team members are hired locally as much as possible, as well as long term operations and maintenance contracts.

Would the projects be visible from nearby roads?

We leave a setback of trees between all projects and the property line. We do not expect the projects to be visible from the road.

What happens after a contract expires?

There is a decommissioning plan at the end of the 25-year contract. Should the province not renew the Community Solar program after 25 years, the project sets aside part of revenue every year into a trust that is used to pay for its own decommissioning. Around 95% percent of the materials are recyclable.

What happens to a project after it is decommissioned? Are they recyclable?

Yes, 95% of the equipment is recyclable.

How will you have access to the land, and is it private land?

These projects are being built on private land and there is a long-term lease with the property owners. They are conditional on the project’s approval.

Do Solar panels make any sound?

Virtually no noise. The panels make no noise, and the transformers make a humming sound that you would have to be inside the fence to hear.