In February 2021, Solar Nova Scotia sent a set of questions to the Nova Scotia Liberal leadership -- and premier -- candidates Randy Delorey, MLA, Antigonish; Labi Kousoulis, MLA, Halifax Citadel-Sable Island; and Iain Rankin, MLA, Timberlea-Prospect. Here are the responses from Delorey and Rankin; we did not hear back from Kousoulis.
Iain Rankin, MLA, Timberlea-Prospect
Thanks for your questions and engagement on this exciting subject. I had some experience in the private sector, while managing a storage company in Ottawa, investing in solar panels through their FIT program. Dymon storage corporation is now the largest private sector provider of power in that region.
I believe now is the time to act swiftly and decisively on the climate crisis and local renewable energy is an important component of my strategy. Several of my friends and family members have invested in solar photovoltaics on their homes, so I understand the importance of solar energy to Nova Scotians in terms of saving money, energy independence, and reducing one’s environmental footprint.
I applaud the work Solar Nova Scotia has done throughout the province, particularly the focus on public education. I am a firm believer that incorporating environmental education in the school curriculum, including energy literacy, is an important component of ensuring future generations continue to take interest in, and act on, the climate crisis.
Below are my responses to Solar Nova Scotia’s questions:
If you become Premier, will you commit to working with Solar NS and the local solar industry to eliminate the 100 kW net metering cap?
I am aware of the 100kW net-metering cap and I certainly want to look at opportunities to unlock corporate, commercial, industrial, and institutional investment in solar energy. This sector has been shown to be one of the largest growth areas in the US as large corporations invest in renewable energy to lower their energy costs and carbon footprint. I want Nova Scotia to capitalize on that opportunity and I’ve committed developing programming for multi-unit residential, commercial, industrial and institutional sectors as part of my environmental platform.
Energy policy is complex and its important that we consider affordability and equity implications, especially as it relates to our most vulnerable populations and energy poverty. Despite the current 100kW cap, there is over 800kW installed on the rooftop of IKEA in Dartmouth and 150kW installed on Dalhousie’s IDEA building in Halifax. These two projects point to a potential “self consumption” model that can enable large scale solar appropriately sized to a facility’s load, even with the current legislation. I will certainly have the cap examined, including discussions with relevant industry stakeholders, to fully understand the implications and restrictions it may be presenting to growth in this space.
If you become Premier, will you commit to securing additional funding for the SolarHomes Program and consider seeding an EverGreen financing model to ensure program continuation indefinitely?
The residential solar sector in Nova Scotia has grown rapidly over the last decade. Even prior to SolarHomes, this market segment was regularly posting +50% year-over-year capacity growth just through the existing net-metering program. As you know, the SolarHomes program was funded through a $56M federal investment in NS from the Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund and has fuelled massive growth in the last two years.
The system sizing from Nova Scotia Power’s net-metering report to the UARB (kWpac), and Halifax’s Solar City data, both indicate that the average installed residential system sizing in Nova Scotia is approximately 10kWpdc. Given that this would cost ~$25k (+tax) at current NS solar installation prices, and the roof space required for a system of that size, there are serious equity questions that must be raised around significant rebates for residential solar adopters who are predominantly at the upper end of the income spectrum. While I am in support of solar energy, we need to make sure that its adoption is inclusive, equitable, and that folks throughout the socio-economic spectrum have an opportunity to participate. I am supportive of solar industry growth and supports generally, particularly where we can leverage federal investment, but it will be through an equity lens that any specific supplemental, or replacement, programing for Solar Homes will be developed.
In general, the availability of financing for residential solar projects has been shown to be an important one in Nova Scotia. Data from Halifax’s Solar City program shows that more than two-thirds of all the solar photovoltaic systems installed in Halifax were financed through the Solar City program. Given the availability of PACE municipal financing throughout the province, private lenders with specific low interest financing for energy efficiency projects (including solar), and discussions of zero-interest loans in the last federal election campaign, there is a reasonable question to be asked around the value and efficacy of a dedicated provincial financing program in unlocking more solar uptake in the province. If the province were to develop more solar programing, we need to make sure it moves the needle in addressing existing market gaps.
If you become Premier, will you commit to setting a new 2030 renewable energy target under SDGA including a specific percentage for solar electricity production?
Renewable energy and emissions reduction is an essential component of my environmental platform. I’ve already committed to closing all the provincial coal plants by 2030 and a 80% renewable energy standard for the electricity sector by 2030. I’ve specifically targeted the electricity sector because it is by far the largest source of emissions in Nova Scotia, representing approximately 42% of our provincial total. Tackling emissions in this sector, and electrifying our end use of energy, is essential if we are to significantly reduce provincial emissions, specifically in other high emissions sectors like transportation and buildings.
As we transition our energy sector over to clean sources, it will be critically important that we keep affordability at the top of mind. I am generally in favour of an all-clean-sources procurement approach that lets the market decide on the most cost-effective way to generate energy. Record setting procurements in Alberta have shown the value of a technology-agnostic approach, and third-party ownership and operation, to deliver clean electricity at the lowest cost possible, in some cases less than 4₵/kWh. That being said, I recognize that the negative correlation between wind and solar energy can be complimentary for our electrical system, specifically in the context of the amount of wind energy in the region and the known production correlations between those wind farms.
If you become Premier, will you commit to introducing regulations that enable virtual net metering as a way to promote greater access to solar energy?
Virtual net-metering and other forms of “off-site” renewable energy procurement are an excellent way to address some of the equity and access issues with the existing net-metering program. I believe research into this topic, and how it could be implemented in Nova Scotia, is already underway at the Department of Energy. I am in favour of expanding this concept so that all Nova Scotians can participate in the benefits of solar energy.
I appreciate you reaching out and engaging on this topic on behalf of the solar industry in Nova Scotia. The clean energy transition is the greatest opportunity of our lifetime to fundamentally transform our economy in a low-carbon, climate resilient and socially inclusive way. And solar energy will play an important role in that transition.
The solar industry already employs Nova Scotians in good skilled trades jobs in every corner of our province. These solar jobs are representative of the many rewarding careers that will be available to Nova Scotians if I am successful in this campaign. I want to lead a government that invests in clean infrastructure, renewable energy, and energy efficiency as part of the COVID-19 recovery.
I will keep all Nova Scotians in mind as we make these investments. My plan for transforming the energy sector, including supports for solar energy, will strengthen the themes of inclusive growth outlined in our Sustainable Development Goals Act. I will ensure that underrepresented communities in the energy sector, including women, Mi’kmaq, immigrants, and African Nova Scotian communities, are front and centre with skills training opportunities and career placements across the province.
Thank you again and I am looking forward to hearing from, and working with, energy sector stakeholders such as Solar Nova Scotia if I am successful in this campaign.
Randy Delorey, MLA, Antigonish
Thank you for your invitation to participate in Solar Nova Scotia’s questionnaire.
The questions and issues it raises are important. Like you, I want to see Nova Scotia continue to make progress on its climate targets and environment protection.
My plan will not only help Nova Scotia meet its emission targets and transition to clean energy, but it will also create energy independence for our province, maintain good energy sector jobs, and open opportunities to export clean energy produced here. Our province has so many opportunities to harness our very own renewable resources – wind, solar, and tidal, not to mention the world-class battery experts who call our province home.
If elected Party leader in February, and thereby becoming Premier of Nova Scotia, I am committed to implementing the following initiatives, which may be of interest to members of Solar Nova Scotia:
- Support onshore and offshore wind, solar, small hydro and tidal energy projects in partnership with municipalities, Mi’kmaq communities, and private sector partners.
- Invest in research, development and implementation of battery technologies to store and provide backup for more variable sources of clean energy.
- Offer zero-interest loans and targeted grants to allow Nova Scotians to save money and lower their energy consumption with home retrofits such as new lighting, insulation, solar panels, and heat pumps.
- Expand Nova Scotia’s province-wide network of rapid electric vehicle charging
- Create scholarships for clean technology and trades jobs to meet the increased need from an aggressive retrofit and building improvement program.
- Create retraining and new green job opportunities, including for Nova Scotians who currently work in non-renewable energy jobs, such as in coal plants.
- Review building codes to encompass sustainable low-carbon materials, charging infrastructure and transmission grid upgrades in preparation for meeting Nova Scotia’s zero-emissions targets.
- Provide funding to community centres for energy efficiency retrofits.
- Implement energy efficiency upgrades in provincially-owned buildings.
- Begin to transition the government fleet to zero-emission vehicles.
- Help municipal governments expand public transportation and decarbonize their operations.
Investing in local clean energy solutions is the right plan for Nova Scotia. It will minimize Nova Scotians’ risk of unexpected electricity rate increases or energy transmission failures. It will create good jobs in the renewables sector in Nova Scotia, which is critical when phasing out coal and the plant jobs that will go with it. And it will leverage the province’s world-class renewable resources and technologies.
I want to take on this job so that we can build a greener, fairer and more prosperous Nova Scotia. To learn more about my vision please visit http://votedelorey.com/vision
If I am fortunate enough to receive the confidence of Party delegates and become the next Premier, my Executive Council and I will prioritize meeting with stakeholders to discuss how we can work together toward our common goals. It is at that point that I will look forward to continuing our progress - together.