CanREA: Amendments to Nova Scotia Electricity Act a Major Step Forward for Community Solar in Canada

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September 24, 2021

The Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) applauds the Government of Nova Scotia for introducing amendments to the Province’s Electricity Act that will expand access to renewable energy, including by opening the door to Canada’s first provincial regulatory framework for shared community ownership of net-metered solar PV generation.

Nova Scotia’s Minister of Energy and Mines, Chuck Porter, announced the amendments on April 7.

“This announcement clearly signals that the Government of Nova Scotia is committed to enhancing opportunities for solar energy to help reach its targets for renewable energy and Net Zero GHG emissions,” said CanREA President and CEO, Robert Hornung.

The changes will enable more businesses and households, including apartment tenants, to adopt solar energy through a shared ownership or subscription model.

Amendments will also allow non-residential customers to scale up their solar installations, with a new cap on system size to be determined through stakeholder consultation.

“While many details remain to be determined, this announcement signals a major step forward for community solar and we look forward to working with our members and community stakeholders over the coming months to help design an inclusive and equitable Shared Solar Program for the benefit of all Nova Scotians,” said Hornung.

CanREA has long advocated for expanding access to net-metered solar in Nova Scotia. In 2019, CanREA (operating at the time as the Canadian Solar Industries Association) published the Nova Scotia Market Outlook and Labour Force Study, which found that the residential solar market in Nova Scotia could support up to 1,170 full-time jobs throughout the Province, while reducing Nova Scotia’s GHG emissions by 32,000 tonnes per year by 2030.

“This announcement clearly signals that the Government of Nova Scotia is committed to enhancing opportunities for solar energy to help reach its targets for renewable energy and Net Zero GHG emissions. While many details remain to be determined, this will be a major step forward for community solar and we look forward to working with our members and community stakeholders over the coming months to help design an inclusive and equitable Shared Solar Program for the benefit of all Nova Scotians,” commented Robert Hornung, President and CEO, Canadian Renewable Energy Association.

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