New Shared Solar Program In Canada’s Nova Scotia

• Nova Scotia has made amendments to its Electricity Plan to create green jobs, and remove barriers to adoption of solar in the province
• The amendments will enable municipalities, First Nation bands, co-ops and not-for-profits to create community solar gardens
• People renting an apartment will also be able to adopt solar through a shared ownership or subscription model

The Canadian province of Nova Scotia has made amendments to the Electricity Plan, which its Energy and Mines Minister Chuck Porter believes will help the solar industry grow in the region in the form of its Shared Solar Program. The government had launched the Electricity Plan in 2015 to give the denizens 'unprecedented rate stability' that's set to continue for another 3 years.

According to the provincial government, the new Shared Solar Program will reduce barriers to solar adoption for communities and businesses. People renting an apartment will be able to adopt solar energy through a shared ownership or subscription model.

It will enable municipalities, First Nation bands, co-ops and not-for-profits to create community solar gardens with an aim to reduce energy poverty and directly benefit communities.

The new amendments will encourage non-residential customers too to scale up their solar installations while benefitting from the program, but it added that a new project cap will be determined through stakeholder engagement.

Green jobs creation is another aim the government wants to achieve through the program.

"The amendments introduced to the Electricity Act will continue to expand the options for renewable energy by creating an avenue for community-driven renewable energy projects and the potential for green jobs. It will not affect power rates for those not participating," said Porter, and added that details of the program will be determined in consultation with communities and stakeholders, to respond to local concerns and needs.

He also stated that this is the 1^st step to creating new solar programs in the province.

In February 2021, Nova Scotia said it will invest CAD 5.5 million for Solar Homes Program to encourage home owners to install solar panels (see Canadian Solar Offers Rebates To Promote Solar).