More solar panels will be popping up in Halifax through the Solar Electricity for Community Buildings Pilot Program, announced today, Nov. 10, by Labour and Advanced Education Minister Labi Kousoulis on behalf of Energy Minister Geoff MacLellan.
“Nova Scotia is already a leader in addressing climate change,” said Mr. Kousoulis. “This is a way for more community groups in Halifax Regional Municipality to participate in clean energy and generate a revenue stream.”
The Atlantic School of Theology has been approved to generate up to 50 kilowatts of solar electricity. They will sell their solar generated electricity back to their utility through a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement.
“This is a great opportunity for us to help reduce Nova Scotia’s carbon footprint,” said Neale Bennet, president of the Atlantic School of Theology. “We are delighted to be able to include new solar panels as an important part of our campus renewal plan.”
Other successful applicants include The Hospice Society of Greater Halifax, The Ecology Action Centre, Dalhousie University and Nova Scotia Community College Ivany Campus.
“With this announcement, the small businesses that install solar energy systems across Nova Scotia will have an opportunity to grow and generate jobs while making our communities more sustainable,” said Gord Wilkie, chair of Solar Nova Scotia. “This is a great step forward to promote solar energy in our province.”
A total of 18 successful applications were chosen across the province. All applications were overseen by Clean Foundation, the independent procurement administrator. The impact to ratepayers is capped at 0.1 per cent, which is already built into the rate stability plan.
The program is for Mi’kmaw communities, registered non-profit or charitable organizations, municipalities or organizations owned by municipalities, universities or community colleges in Nova Scotia.
The program will be offered for two more years. To see a complete list of all successful applicants, and to learn more about the program, visit novascotia.ca/solar.
Source: Release