A Not-for-profit society is criticizing Nova Scotia Power’s move to propose a charge for solar homes and businesses.
The proposed fee would see solar users paying the power company to take their extra energy.
Solar Nova Scotia criticized the move, saying the charge – of $8 per kilowatt per month – will cause a drop in demand for solar energy.
BREAKING NEWS: @nspowerinc is proposing to charge homeowners who have net-metered solar installations $8/kW/month fee. To put this in perspective, a homeowner with a 10kW system generates about $1,760 worth of electricity per year. They will be required to pay NSP $960 per year. pic.twitter.com/aCXh2IF0G0
— Solar Nova Scotia (@SolarNS) January 27, 2022
“Many of the solar installers have made big investments in their businesses – in equipment; in warehouses; in vehicles; in hiring people – and overnight they’re going to see a major impact,” Chair of Solar NS, David Brushett said in an interview.
Solar Nova Scotia has over 40 corporate partners, many of which are small businesses, Brushett said. Many of them are already seeing orders cancelled.
The drop in demand could also lead to layoffs in the solar sector, which employs hundreds of Nova Scotians, Brushett noted.
Outside of the impacts the proposed charge would have on people using solar energy, Brushett said the move is harmful to Nova Scotia’s emissions goals.
“Solar is a key technology for allowing us to meet these targets. So, this proposal from Nova Scotia Power directly contradicts the province’s ability to meet those targets.”
Solar NS is working with it’s corporate partners to respond to the move in the coming days.
