Solar Nova Scotia - Frequently Asked Questions

Although Nova Scotia is our main focus, we make connections to promote renewable energy everywhere in Atlantic Canada and our Solar Home Design Manual is applicable to all of Canada.

Can you do a "charter" course for a particular group?

Yes. We need about fifteen people to make it worthwhile; if you organize the promotions and venue, we'll supply the instructor. Contact us at info@solarns.ca.

Are solar homes practical in Nova Scotia?

Yes! See the Solar homes inventory for existing solar projects in Nova Scotia.

Is there an opportunity to discuss my questions in person?

Solar home designers and any interested people meet at The Lion's Head on Robie near Young St in Halifax every Friday evening to hear and discuss questions and to share information, news, and ideas. We're always at several tables put together near the windows. The first members show up around 5:00pm and we're usually there until about 8:00pm.

Can I build a solar log home?

Log homes are a very difficult fit with solar. The main problems are that it is difficult to get them really energy-tight - especially with regards to air infiltration; secondly they typically do not have the large south-facing windows that passive solar needs.

Of course, all things are possible and a creative designer (yourself, for instance, if you took the Solar Home Design Course) could overcome these problems.

How can I get my home into the Solar Home Inventory?

Send a note to info@solarns.ca and we will send you a data collection form. We'll need some beautiful pictures of it too.

What are practical ways to do solar renovations to an existing, older home?

There are a few options.

Get an Energy Audit: Solar energy cannot practically heat a house which wastes a substantial amount of heat. Therefore The first step is to cut down on how much heat your house is leaking. You can get a home energy audit to determine how to improve the energy efficiency of your home to the point where solar can make a difference. Go to Clean Nova Scotia and look up "Home Energy Evaluations" or call Clean Nova Scotia at (902) 420-3474 or 1-800-665-5377 toll free.
Install a solar water heating system: Solar power can be used for hot water. Domestic Hot Water is relatively easy to install and can dramatically cut your DHW energy needs. Pick a vendor from the Solar Nova Scotia Corporate Member list to design and install such a system.
Install a thermal wall: If you have a south-facing wall, consider a thermal wall. Bring up the Solar Home inventory, click on "By Category" and look at Air Space Heating to see some examples.

Can I build my own active panels?

Yes you can build your own solar hot water panel as well as solar electric (photovoltaic) panel and you do not need to be an expert to do it! However, it is difficult to build them up to the quality and performance of a commercially manufactured one. Search the web using a phrase such as "build your own solar panel", search the library, or email Solar NS at mailto:info@solarns.ca .

Is it possible to build an off-grid home in Nova Scotia?

Yes. Not only is it possible, but quite a few people already have. How cost-effective it is depends on how far your building site is from existing power lines. As a general rule, if your site is more than 800 or 900 metres from a power line, it is likely to be less expensive to install off-grid solar and/or wind power than to pay Nova Scotia Power to bring in a power line. And then you don't have power bills to pay! Contact NS Power at 1-800-428-6230 (428-6230 in Metro Halifax) to find out how much it will cost to bring power into your home then contact a local renewable energy dealer to find out the price of an off-grid system. Renewable energy dealers are listed in our Corporate Member list.

Who can install solar panels for me?

Check the Solar Nova Scotia Corporate Member list and the Solar Gain Suppliers List.

Can you recommend a solution for swimming pool heating?

Solar powered swimming pool heaters are cheap and easily available. Some services that provide swimming pool heating system installations are: Sun Ross Energy Systems Ltd., Sonideft Solar and Nova Sun Power.

I'd like to be a solar contractor / carpenter / technician. What is my first step?

The Nova Scotia Community College offers a program called Energy Sustainability Engineering Technology. Look up the details of this program on the NSCC Programs and Courses Index.
The Canadian Solar Industries Association offers Solar Installer Certification Programs. Look under Solar Training and Education.
Contact any of the corporate members listed in our Corporate Member list to inquire about qualifications for their installers.

What's the difference between "active" and "passive"?

"Active" solar power involves actual mechanical systems like domestic hot water heating or photovoltaic panels for electricity production. Houses that use "Passive" solar take advantage of the sun through simple methods like window orientation, building location, thermal mass for heat storage, and restricting heat loss through insulation. Refer to the Solar Shelter Manual for more details. See "Where can I buy the Solar Shelter Manual?"

Do I need a licensed solar technician to hook up domestic hot water panels? Or can a plumber install them?

No you do not need to have a licensed solar technician. It is okay for a licensed plumber to install them but it would be best to look for one who has experience in installing this type of system. For details, see this CANSIA page.

What is the payback period for a solar system? How can I calculate it?

The simple payback is the time it takes for the money saved on energy costs to equal the costs of the system. This does not factor in interest rates. Hot2000 calculates the annual energy savings of a Thermo-dynamics 2-collector system installed on a house in Halifax at 2512kWh. With power costs of 12c/kWh the savings are $300/yr, and the payback is almost 20yrs based on an installed cost of over $5000.

How is the Solar Shelter Course different from the Solar Construction course?

The Construction Course is a followup to the Solar Home Design course, either for contractors interested in building solar homes, or individuals interested in doing the contracting for their own home or building it themselves. The Solar Shelter Course isn't a prerequisite, however, because the first module of the Construction Course is a review of Solar Basics. The Construction Course also has visuals and detail drawings for ground insulation techniques, heat source slabs & foundations, air recirculation systems, and an active hot air collector system.

Solar Shelter Course

How is the Solar Shelter Course different from the Solar Construction course?

Solar Shelter Manual

Where can I buy the Solar Shelter Manual?

From P'lovers in Halifax or by mail. See the "Manual" section of The Solar Nova Scotia Course & Manual Page for more details.

Membership

What are the benefits of being a corporate member?

Advertising on the Solar NS website and the resulting interest for clients.
Supporting your industry, locally.

Contact us at info@solarns.ca to become a corporate member. We'll need a "banner" size logo, a paragraph describing your business and your geographic range, and the preferred ways of contacting you.

What are the benefits of being a regular member?

Supporting Renewable Energy development in Atlantic Canada.
Receiving semi-annual newsletters. Download a membership form from the Solar Nova Scotia membership page to become a member.

About Solar Nova Scotia : Solar Course & Manual : Regular events : Newsletter : Membership

Corporate Members : Home Showcase : Related Links : Contact Us : Home