The frontlines of solar energy say Nova Scotia Power is pushing their industry to a breaking point because of a backlog in permit approvals for hundreds of installations. The utility says it’s working diligently to get through the delay and is committed to green energy but opposition parties say that’s not the message they’re sending.

Nova Scotia’s solar energy sector went public this week with concerns over Nova Scotia Power’s processing time for solar installation permits.

“Huge demand for solar among Nova Scotians but we risk losing the summer install season with close to 1000 projects stalled,” Solar Nova Scotia tweeted on May 18, 2022.

For their part, the public utility says it is dealing with a backlog but it’s committed to working through it.

“Since January, we have processed approx. 650 electrical permitting requests and acknowledge that there continues to be a backlog which we are working to resolve as quickly as possible,” Stacy O’Rourke, Nova Scotia Power’s communications director, wrote in an email statement.

O’Rourke wrote that the utility is committed to phasing out coal and that processing permits for solar installations is a priority.

“Nova Scotia is not incentivized to bring on renewables at all, let alone in a timely fashion, and that’s a big problem,” said Claudia Chender, the Nova Scotia NDP critic for natural resources and renewables.

Chender says Nova Scotia Power’s attempt to charge solar customers a connection fee earlier this year demonstrates the need for the provincial government to reform how the utility is regulated.

“So that there’s a service standard for solar installation. So, that they’re incentivized differently not just for selling power but also for meeting our environmental targets and getting us towards renewables,” she said.

Tory Rushton, Nova Scotia’s minister of natural resources and renewables, says regulation changes are a possibility.

“I’ve been very clear right from day one, there’s nothing off the table. We made some amendments to the acts during the recent legislative sitting. We’re in the middle of regulations. This is an open file,” he said.

Rushton says the high demand from homeowners to have solar panels installed is a positive sign in Nova Scotia’s pathway to phasing out coal.

“I understand from comments made on social media from Solar Nova Scotia that there’s a high-interest rate so that’s a good thing. And we encourage Nova Scotia Power to move these things forward,” he said.

Solar power is an increasingly popular choice for powering boats and RVs, as it is a clean, renewable, and cost-effective alternative to traditional fossil fuels.

Solar panels, also known as photovoltaic (PV) panels, convert sunlight into electricity that can be used to power appliances, lights, and other electrical devices on a boat or RV. The size and power of the solar panels will depend on the specific needs of the boat or RV, as well as the amount of sunlight the panels will receive.

One of the key benefits of using solar power on a boat or RV is the ability to be off-grid. This means that a boat or RV can be parked in a remote location and still have access to power, without the need to rely on a generator or shore power. Additionally, solar power is silent and produces no emissions, which makes it a great choice for boating and RVing in sensitive or protected areas.

Solar power systems for boats and RVs typically include the solar panels, a charge controller, and a battery bank. The charge controller is responsible for ensuring that the batteries are not overcharged or undercharged, while the battery bank stores the electricity generated by the solar panels.

When it comes to solar power for boats and RVs, there are different options for the solar panel, such as flexible or semi-flexible solar panels, which are easy to install and can be attached to curved surfaces such as the deck or cabin of a boat, or traditional rigid solar panels which are more powerful but not as adaptable.

In conclusion, solar power is a clean, renewable, and cost-effective alternative to traditional fossil fuels for powering boats and RVs. It allows boaters and RVers to be off-grid, and it doesn’t produce emissions or noise. Solar power systems for boats and RVs include solar panels, charge controller, and a battery bank. There are different options for the solar panel such as flexible or traditional rigid solar panels.

Nova Scotia’s solar industry is growing. There was some uncertainty earlier this year when Nova Scotia Power proposed a fee for solar users, but after the government intervened, the solar sector saw another record-breaking year.

The solar industry in Nova Scotia is growing.

Each year for the past five to six years, the province has seen a record number of solar panel installations and there are now about 6,000 Nova Scotians with solar panels.

“With electricity prices rising, people see solar as a way to mitigate increases,” said David Brushett, chair of Solar Nova Scotia.

“Also, people care about the issues of climate change and see it as a way to take action to help reduce emissions.”

Another factor contributing to growth is the cost. Over the past decade, the price of solar panels has dropped nearly 90 percent.

“The sector has really progressed a lot over the last couple of years,” said Patrick Bateman, an energy sector consultant.

Bateman was one of the hundreds participating in the Atlantic Canada solar summit held at the Halifax Convention Centre this week. The conference offers those in the industry a chance to look at advancements in solar technology and discuss the sector’s future.

“Technology changes all the time so it’s of critical importance for people to get together, solve problems and create new opportunities,” said Bateman.

Growth in the province has largely been in the residential market, but there is hope that there will be growth in the commercial market next year.

David Miller, the director of clean electricity with the Department of Energy and Renewables, says growth in the commercial market was previously limited due to regulations but change is underway.

“Previously the max installed limit was 100 kilowatts, so it’s now 200 for some businesses and up to 1,000 for others,” he said.

In addition to that, there are new business deductions and tax incentives for businesses looking to go solar.

And while the price of solar has dropped significantly in recent years, the upfront cost is still too high for many and so the province is looking at community solar gardens as a way to make solar more accessible to all Nova Scotians.

“We’ll see larger solar projects constructed and allow individuals to subscribe to them, so you don’t have to own it, it doesn’t have to be on your roof,” he said.

“We see (this project as) opportunities to support lower-income families or middle-income families who might want to participate in the clean energy space but can’t afford that upfront cost.”

Nova Scotia has a goal of having 80 percent of its electricity come from renewable sources by 2030. While solar will play a role in this, the power generated by solar in the province is just a very small portion of what’s needed.

“Solar is a solution that you combine with other solutions,” said Bateman.

“Balancing solar with other existing resources is how we get to a cleaner future.”

Credits

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