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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?
Register for the warm list here! Community Solar Interested Subscriber List
Community Solar – 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.
- Is this Community Solar project associated with or owned by the Municipality?
- No, the proposed project is 100% privately financed, owned and operated. It is not associated with the Municipality.
- What is the current stage of development?
- Currently, the project is in very early stages. Once we have completed all application requirements, we will submit our proposal to the Department of Energy. If selected for a contract, 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 project be visible from Highway 208?
- We leave a setback of trees between the project and the property line. We do not expect the project to be visible from the road.
- What happens after the 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 the project after it is decommissioned? Are they recyclable?
- Yes, 95% of the equipment is recyclable.
- How will you have access to this land, and is it private land?
- This project is being built on private land and there is a long-term lease with the property owner. It is 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.
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