Listen to this article
Estimated 3 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
A Toronto-based renewable energy company says it sees a lot of potential in Nova Scotia’s initiative to incentivize the construction of community “solar gardens.”
PowerBank, which specializes in solar energy and battery storage systems, has had one project approved in Nova Scotia and proposed two others under the province’s community solar program.
The program, which launched in 2024, helps community groups and organizations set up large fields of solar panels, known as solar gardens, to sell subscriptions for the clean electricity they produce.
“We like this program because I think it’s a win-win for all the parties,” said Tracy Zheng, chief commercial officer for PowerBank.
PowerBank’s solar projects will help Nova Scotia meet its goal of producing 80 per cent of its electricity through renewable energy, Zheng said, while also reducing power bills for customers who subscribe.
The provincial program allows the power generated from the solar gardens to be fed into the Nova Scotia Power grid.
Customers can sign up to receive power from a solar garden without paying an additional fee or physically being connected to the source.
The company says subscribers will save two cents per kilowatt hour on their electricity bill or 10 to 15 per cent.
Potential benefits for communities
PowerBank is expected to start construction on a 4.8-megawatt project in Brooklyn, Annapolis County, in the spring, which it says will power up to 630 homes a year.
Two smaller projects are proposed near Antigonish and Bridgetown.
The project near Bridgetown is still going through the approval process. It must get letters of support from municipal governments where the projects are proposed.
“When the opportunity arose through public consultation as well as a presentation to our council, we were very receptive to it,” said Dustin Enslow, deputy warden for the Municipality of Annapolis County.
Zheng made a presentation about the project to the municipality in November. She said it would power up to 250 homes in the surrounding area.
The company also held two public consultations meetings in the area last summer.
Enslow said the municipality sees several benefits from a project like this.
“This particular organization and particular project works quite well because it actually aligns with the joint climate change action plans we have between us — Annapolis Royal and the Town of Middleton,” Enslow said.
He said the municipality also finds PowerBank’s promise to use local contractors to build and maintain the solar garden over the 25-year contract very encouraging.
Stabilizes power source
In addition to reducing power bills, Enslow said an additional energy source in the community will provide more stability for residents.
“We have a very unique power grid here where we actually steal from neighbouring municipalities,” he said.
The municipality gets its power from Yarmouth, Bridgewater and other parts of the Annapolis Valley, Enslow said, and power outages are a common problem.
The municipality’s support of the PowerBank’s proposed solar project is conditional, but council sees a lot of potential in it, Enslow said.
“This is just one way that our municipality can continue to thrive and move forward in a positive direction.”
MORE TOP STORIES