Build a New Home in Nova Scotia. Get up to $25,000 Back on Solar.
Efficiency Nova Scotia's EnergyForward New Homes Program rewards energy-efficient new builds with up to $25,000 in incentives. The highest tier requires a solar PV system, and Xolar is a registered installer.
About the EnergyForward New Homes Program
Up to $25,000 for energy-efficient new home construction in Nova Scotia
The EnergyForward New Homes Program is run by Efficiency Nova Scotia and supports the construction of new single-family homes with incentives that reward energy-efficient design and renewable energy. Builders and homeowners receive expert advice on incorporating energy efficiency and solar PV into their plans, with the goal of homes that have annual energy bills of $1,000 or less, or $0 with a properly sized solar system. Xolar is an Efficiency Nova Scotia Registered Solar Installer, which is a program requirement for the highest incentive tier. We handle solar design, permitting, and installation so your home meets program requirements without you coordinating multiple trades. Registration must take place within 30 days of receiving a building permit or before construction begins, and the home must be completed within 18 months of registration.
Two Incentive Tiers
Higher energy efficiency unlocks a higher incentive. Solar PV is required for the $0 bill target.
Most popular choice for average Canadian homes
*Incentive structure effective January 1, 2026, and subject to change. Bill targets calculated using Nova Scotia Power's standard energy charge of 18.561 cents per kWh in effect at time of enrollment.
How It Works in 6 Steps
From registration to incentive payment, here is what to expect.
Register
Register with one of the program's three Service Organizations (AmeriSpec, Homesol, or Thermalwise) for $199 + HST. Provide a copy of your building plans and permit. Register within 30 days of receiving a permit or before construction begins.
Review Recommendations
An Energy Advisor will model your home using your plans and provide upgrade recommendations to help you reach each incentive tier. You will receive a Design Evaluation within two weeks of registration.
Plan Improvements
Decide which improvements to make. If you change construction plans or equipment after the initial evaluation, review them with your Energy Advisor; changes may impact incentive eligibility.
Construct Your Home
Complete your home within 18 months of registration. Xolar handles solar design and installation as part of the build to meet program requirements.
Final On-Site Evaluation
Schedule a final evaluation with your Service Organization within 18 months of registration, including a blower door test to verify airtightness.
Receive Your Incentive
Your home's energy use under the EnerGuide Rating System determines your incentive ($15,000 for $1,000 annual bill, $25,000 for $0 annual bill). The incentive is paid directly to whoever registered the project.
WHY XOLAR
Your Registered Solar Partner in Nova Scotia
Hitting the $25,000 incentive tier requires a solar PV system installed by an Efficiency Nova Scotia Registered Solar Installer. Xolar qualifies and brings 700+ Canadian solar installations of experience to your new build.
- 1
Registered Installer
Xolar is on Efficiency Nova Scotia's list of Registered Solar Installers, a program requirement for the $0 annual bill tier.
- 2
700+ Installations
Over 700 completed solar installations across Canada, including all eight Nova Scotia cities we serve directly.
- 3
End-to-End Solar
We handle design, permitting, equipment selection, installation, and inspection so your build meets program requirements without juggling multiple installers.
- 4
25-Year Warranty
Industry-leading warranties on panels and workmanship, including a 25-year performance guarantee on solar production.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers about eligibility, timing, and how Xolar's solar fits in.
Both home builders and homeowners are eligible.
Eligible ownership structures include individual, corporation, cooperative, co-ownership, and First Nations Band-owned homes.
The incentive is paid to whoever registers the project.
Registration must take place within 30 days of receiving your building permit, or before construction begins (whichever comes first).
You will need to provide a copy of your building plans and permit at registration.
Detached, semi-detached, townhouses, rowhouses, and mini-homes built on a permanent foundation.
Homes must be no more than three stories, have a footprint of 600 m² or less (about 6,458 ft²), be capable of year-round occupancy, and not be heated with oil.
Stacked or apartment-style homes, multi-unit residential buildings, and chassis-attached homes are ineligible.
No.
EnergyForward New Homes participation includes all incentives for equipment, materials, and technology incorporated into the home at construction time.
It is designed as a stand-alone incentive and is not combinable with other Provincial government or Efficiency Nova Scotia incentives, including the SolarHomes Program.
The solar PV offset that counts toward your incentive is based on your home’s conditioned square footage: 7,000 kWh (≤1,000 sqft), 8,000 kWh (≤1,500 sqft), 9,000 kWh (≤2,000 sqft), or 10,000 kWh (>2,000 sqft).
You can install more solar than these limits, but extra capacity does not contribute to the incentive calculation.
You must build the home and complete the final on-site evaluation within 18 months of your registration date.
Ready to Start Your New Home with Solar?
Get a free solar quote tailored to your build. We will walk you through how solar fits into the EnergyForward New Homes Program and how to maximize your incentive.
Program details are subject to change by Efficiency Nova Scotia. See the official EnergyForward New Homes Program guide for current incentive amounts and rules.