Nova Scotia
Solar panels in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia has among the highest electricity rates in Canada — about 19.1¢/kWh — which is exactly why solar pays off fast here. Nova Scotia Power's 1:1 net metering credits surplus at the full retail rate, homeowners save roughly $1,800/year, and payback typically lands in 8–11 years.
Timing note: the provincial SolarHomes rebate closed to new residential applicants on April 17, 2025 (non-profits may still apply). Halifax homeowners can still finance through Solar City / PACE at a fixed 4.75%. With rates among the country's highest, the net-metering value stands on its own.
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Cities we serve in Nova Scotia
9 installs across the province — pick your city for local production, rates and real install proof.
Nova Scotia install — 39.6 kW — 39.6 kW rooftop
South-facing asphalt shingle · completed July 2025 · 169 progress photos on file
What 9 Nova Scotia installs tell us
Aggregated from completed Xolar systems across Nova Scotia — first-hand data, not industry averages. Nothing a competitor can copy.
High power rates plus one of Canada's best net-metering programs make Nova Scotia strong solar territory. With SolarHomes closed, the return now rests on 1:1 retail credit and the province's steep electricity prices — both firmly in solar's favour.
Nova Scotia energy & net metering
Consistent across every Nova Scotia Power service area.
How your system works behind the meter
Most of a Nova Scotia system's value comes from power used behind the meter — electricity your panels make and your home uses on the spot, offsetting energy you'd otherwise buy at 19.13¢/kWh. Only the surplus flows past the meter to Nova Scotia Power for 1:1 net-metering credit.
Rebates & incentives in Nova Scotia
Local, provincial, federal and Xolar in-house — covering all available programs for Nova Scotia homeowners.
Showing all of Canada — 491 installs nationwide
Completed Xolar installations — each dot represents a city where we've installed solar.
What Nova Scotia homeowners say
"Dan was very knowledgable, thorough and no pressure. it was a pleasure to deal with him. I would definitely recommend."
Nova Scotia solar questions
Is solar worth it in Nova Scotia?
Yes.
Nova Scotia has some of the highest electricity rates in Canada (~19.1 cents/kWh as of May 2026), making solar an excellent investment.
Homeowners save approximately $1,800/year.
Halifax PACE financing and 1:1 net metering at the full retail rate create strong economics.
Note: the SolarHomes rebate program closed April 17, 2025 (non-profits may still apply).
Payback is 8-11 years, followed by 14-17 years of near-free power.
How much does solar cost in Nova Scotia?
A typical 9-10 kW system costs $26,000-$29,000.
The SolarHomes rebate program closed April 17, 2025 (non-profits may still apply; homeowner completion deadline was March 31, 2026), but Halifax residents can still access PACE property-tax financing at 4.75% with no upfront cost.
The payback period is 8-11 years, and panels last 25+ years.
What is the best solar company in Nova Scotia?
Look for an installer with Tesla Powerwall certification and experience with Nova Scotia Power net metering applications.
Xolar serves 7 Nova Scotia communities, has a 4.6-star Google rating from 780+ Google reviews, and handles all net metering and incentive paperwork.
What solar incentives are available in Nova Scotia?
The SolarHomes Program closed to new residential applicants on April 17, 2025 (non-profits may still apply).
Halifax residents can still access PACE financing through Solar City at 4.75% fixed rate.
Enhanced net metering through Nova Scotia Power lets you earn retail-rate credits for excess solar energy – one of the best net metering programs in Canada.
How much can I save with solar panels in Nova Scotia?
Nova Scotia homeowners save approximately $1,800 per year on their electricity bill after installing solar.
With an 8-11 year payback period and panels lasting 25 years or more, switching to solar provides 14-17 years of near-zero power bills and significant long-term savings.
Can I install solar in Nova Scotia if I rent or have a shaded roof?
Yes – the Community Solar Program lets you subscribe to a community solar garden without installing panels on your property.
You receive a credit on your Nova Scotia Power bill for the clean energy generated by your share of the garden.
Is battery storage worth it in Nova Scotia?
Battery storage is increasingly popular for Nova Scotia homeowners.
It stores excess solar power for evening use, provides backup during storm outages, and maximizes your energy savings by reducing reliance on grid electricity during peak hours.
Why Switch to Solar in Nova Scotia?
Nova Scotia is one of the best provinces in Canada for homeowners looking to install solar panels and start saving money on their power bills. With rising Nova Scotia Power rates and some of the strongest solar incentives in the country, switching to solar energy makes more financial sense than ever.
Nova Scotia produces approximately 1,090 kWh per kW annually and receives 1,800-2,000 hours of sunshine per year – sufficient for strong solar power production. Cooler coastal temperatures actually boost solar PV system efficiency, and snow cover causes only about a 3% annual energy loss. Panels are designed to last 25 years or more, providing decades of clean energy and reduced electricity bills.
When you switch to solar, you produce your own power and reduce your exposure to rising rates for the life of your system – protecting yourself from future Nova Scotia Power rate increases and gaining true energy independence.
Nova Scotia Solar Incentives & Rebates (2026)
Nova Scotia offers some of the most attractive solar incentives in Canada:
SolarHomes Program (Closed)
The SolarHomes Program closed to new residential applicants on April 17, 2025. Previously, Efficiency Nova Scotia offered $0.30 per watt (up to $3,000) for residential solar PV systems. Non-profits may still be able to apply. The homeowner completion deadline was March 31, 2026. While this rebate is no longer available to homeowners, Nova Scotia still offers strong incentives through PACE financing and net metering.
Enhanced Net Metering
Nova Scotia Power’s net metering program is one of the most favourable in Canada. Homeowners can size systems up to 100 kW (the simplified interconnection option applies to systems up to 27 kW) and receive credits for overproduction on their electricity bill at the full retail rate (~19.1 cents/kWh). Credits can be applied to future power bills for 12 months, and year-end surplus credits are paid out at the retail rate – a payout model that’s rare and especially valuable for homeowners.
Halifax Solar City PACE Program
Halifax Regional Municipality residents can access property-assessed financing at a 4.75% fixed interest rate over 10 years, with no upfront costs. Payments are made through your property tax bill.
Switch West Hants PACE Program
West Hants residents can access PACE financing over 10-15 years at Prime+1.75% with a 5% administration fee. This program lets homeowners install solar with no upfront cost, repaid through their property tax bill.
Community Solar Program
For homeowners who can’t install solar on their roof (renters, condos, shaded properties), Nova Scotia’s Community Solar Program lets you subscribe to a community solar garden and receive a credit of $0.02/kWh on your Nova Scotia Power bill – making clean energy accessible to everyone.
Federal Greener Homes Programs (Ended)
The federal Canada Greener Homes Grant closed to new applicants in March 2024, and the Greener Homes Loan closed October 1, 2025. Neither is available to new applicants. PACE financing and net metering remain the primary available options.
How Much Does It Cost to Install Solar in Nova Scotia?
The average cost of a solar PV system in Nova Scotia is approximately $2.87 per watt installed. A typical 9-10 kW system costs around $26,000-$29,000. The SolarHomes rebate program closed April 17, 2025, so current pricing reflects the full installed cost. Halifax residents can access PACE financing to spread this cost over 10 years with no money down.
Nova Scotia homeowners who have installed solar panels save an average of $1,800 per year on their electricity bill. With Nova Scotia Power rates continuing to rise, solar energy provides rate certainty for 25+ years – saving money every year the sun shines.
The typical payback period is 8-11 years in Nova Scotia. After that, you benefit from 14-17 years of near-zero energy costs. When you factor in the natural resources powering your system (free sunlight), the long-term return on investment is substantial.
Adding battery storage (Tesla Powerwall or equivalent) lets you store excess solar power for evening use and provides backup during Nova Scotia’s occasional storm-related outages – a practical consideration for Atlantic Canada homeowners.
Xolar's Nova Scotia Service Areas
Xolar installs solar panels across 7 Nova Scotia communities:
- Solar panels Halifax – HRM’s largest market, PACE Solar City financing available
- Solar installation Dartmouth – Growing solar community across the harbour
- Solar panels Sydney – Cape Breton, strong NS Power net metering
- Solar installation Truro – Central Nova Scotia hub
- Solar panels New Glasgow – Pictou County solar installations
- Solar panels Amherst – Cumberland County, PACE Atlantic eligible
- Solar installation Bridgewater – South Shore, PACE Atlantic eligible
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Solar system packages
All include install, permits & 25-yr warrantyMost popular choice for average Canadian homes