Solar for Your Home
Solar can reduce the electricity you buy from your utility. Start with a site assessment and compare written proposals showing installation costs, expected annual generation and savings assumptions. Include future electricity needs, such as a heat pump or electric vehicle, in your planning.
If energy security during outages is a priority, ask about a battery system designed for backup, the circuits it can support and its expected runtime.
Program information reviewed September 2026. Confirm availability and eligibility with each provider before making a financial commitment.
- Nova Scotia Power’s Self-Generating Option allows eligible renewable generators or energy storage devices of up to 27 kW to share your home or business meter. Confirm your design, permits and interconnection requirements with your installer and utility.
- SolarHomes is closed to new applications. Efficiency Nova Scotia stopped accepting applications on April 17, 2025. Existing participants should consult Efficiency Nova Scotia about their approved projects.
- The Canada Greener Homes Loan is closed. October 1, 2025 was the last day to apply, and no new loan applications can be approved. Existing applicants should follow the federal program’s instructions for their files.
- Municipal solar financing varies by location and program availability. Halifax’s Solar City program provides property-based financing for eligible solar projects. Check current eligibility, terms and application availability directly with your municipality before committing to a project.
- Solar supplies your property first, with eligible surplus exports credited under your utility’s program rules. Under Nova Scotia Power’s Self-Generating Option, generation above your annual consumption is not purchased. Bill credits do not provide electricity during an outage; backup requires a system designed for that purpose.
Solar for Your Business
Solar can help your business generate electricity on site and manage long-term energy costs. A useful assessment considers your electricity use, roof or land availability, financing, tax treatment and utility interconnection costs.
Discuss future electrification and battery storage with your installer. The best design depends on your operating hours, electricity tariff, demand charges and backup needs.
- The federal Clean Technology Investment Tax Credit can support eligible solar and stationary electricity storage investments. Applicant eligibility, equipment, project timing and labour requirements affect the credit. Ask a qualified tax adviser to confirm how the rules apply to your project.
- It is recommended that you contact your utility to understand the cost of interconnecting your solar project before applying. Interconnection costs can vary widely.
- Nova Scotia Power’s Commercial Net Metering Program supports eligible renewable generators up to 1 MW AC, depending on the customer category and program rules. It is designed to offset electricity use. Confirm your eligibility, system size and credit treatment with the utility.
- Contact Efficiency Nova Scotia about current business energy-efficiency and demand-management programs. Confirm whether your proposed measures qualify, and whether pre-approval is needed, before ordering equipment or starting work.
Solar for Your Community
- A community solar garden is a large area with many solar panels on it (like the rooftop of a large industrial building or land could become a community solar garden). A 1-megawatt community solar garden requires about 4 to 6 acres of land.
- The electricity generated from a community solar garden goes into the province’s main electricity grid to help power buildings, homes and appliances of participating subscribers.
- Community solar gardens make renewable energy more accessible (even for people who wouldn’t be able to install solar panels, like renters, condos and people with shaded roofs). Subscribers get a credit on their electricity bill for the power generated by their share of the solar garden.
Resources
- Application Form and Documents
- Toolkit for potential project owners (community solar garden owners), subscribers, and the general public
- Sign up to the Community Solar Program email list to get notified about program updates. To subscribe to the email list, send an email to sharedsolar@novascotia.ca
FAQ
Your Questions Answered
Explore our frequently asked questions to find answers to common queries about solar energy.
How long will my solar system last?
Solar panels commonly operate for 25 years or more, although their output gradually declines. Actual service life depends on the equipment, installation, environment and maintenance.
A performance warranty describes the output a manufacturer guarantees over time; a product warranty covers specified defects. These are different from the installer’s workmanship warranty. Read the terms, exclusions and claims process for each.
Inverters, batteries and other components have their own lifetimes and warranties and may need replacement before the panels. Ask your installer to include expected maintenance and replacement costs in the proposal.
How do I get professional design and installation help?
Solar Nova Scotia would suggest you search our directory for a reputable solar provider.
My building's roof needs replacing soon. Does it make sense to combine the installations?
If your roof will need replacement soon, ask a roofer and solar installer to coordinate the work before the array is installed. This can avoid the cost of removing and reinstalling panels later.
Ask them to confirm the roof condition, structural capacity, mounting compatibility and warranty requirements. Solar panels do not make roofing last indefinitely; the roof and mounting system still need to be suitable for the installation.
What is a Solar Energy System Design Brief?
A solar design brief or proposal explains the system an installer recommends for your property. Ask for a panel layout, equipment makes and models, system capacity, estimated annual generation and an explanation of shading and other expected losses.
The quote should clearly identify the total price, included work, permits, utility connection costs, warranties and anticipated maintenance. If it includes batteries, ask which circuits they can support during an outage and for how long.
Compare the assumptions behind savings estimates, including future electricity prices, panel degradation, financing and equipment replacement. Future electricity rates and savings are not guaranteed; ask how the results change under more conservative assumptions.
What are the effects of snow on panels?
Snow cover can reduce or temporarily stop solar production. Panels still generate electricity in winter when they receive sunlight, although shorter days and snow cover usually reduce seasonal output. Your annual production estimate should account for local weather and snow losses.
Snow and ice can slide off an array. Ask your installer to consider entrances, walkways and other areas below the panels when designing the system. Follow the manufacturer’s maintenance guidance and consult your installer if snow removal is needed; avoid climbing onto an icy roof or using tools that could damage the panels.
Is Nova Scotia a good place for solar energy?
Yes. Solar can generate electricity in Nova Scotia throughout the year. How well it works for your property depends on sunlight, shading, roof orientation, system design and installation costs.
Ask for a site-specific annual generation estimate and compare it with your electricity use. Review your utility’s current connection and credit rules, and include financing, maintenance and future electrification in your decision. A good solar resource alone does not guarantee a particular financial return.
Do I have to clean my solar panels?
Rain can help keep panels clean, but pollen, dirt, leaves and other debris may reduce production. Check your system’s monitoring and ask your installer whether an inspection or cleaning is needed if output drops unexpectedly.
Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions and warranty requirements. For rooftop systems, ask your installer about safe professional maintenance instead of climbing onto the roof yourself.
I'd like to be a solar contractor/carpenter/technician. What is my first step?
Start by exploring the role that interests you: system design, installation, electrical work, sales or project management. Contact employers in our solar provider directory to ask about entry requirements and training opportunities.
NSCC offers Introduction to Solar Photovoltaic Systems and related training in design, installation and maintenance. Check current course availability and prerequisites with NSCC. Ask prospective employers which trade qualifications and safety training are needed for the work you would perform.