Nova Scotia Power postpones proposed solar fee by one year
Global News
The fee, which would require approval from the Utility and Review Board, was proposed to be retroactive to Feb. 1 2022, something that prompted concern in the solar industry.
On Thursday, Nova Scotia Power submitted a general application to the province’s Utility and Review Board to increase rates and to add a new fee for solar power customers.
Days later, after outcry from a number of groups including environmental organizations, solar companies and homeowners, Nova Scotia Power put out a release saying they were making a change to their initial application.
The original proposal included a monthly fee for solar users of $8 per kilowatt of electricity. That would amount to about $960 annually for the average user.
The fee, which would require approval from the Utility and Review Board, was proposed to be retroactive to Feb. 1 2022, something that prompted concern in the solar industry.
“People have either cancelled their orders or if they were starting to explore the idea of solar, they’ve just completely abandoned it,” said Matt Grant, a territory manager with Watts Up Solar.
“It just created so much uncertainty in our industry.”
Solar experts say that while many turn to solar to help the environment, the installation costs can be a barrier. Many individuals, though, have found the savings to be worth the investment, but the new fee changes that.
An average system is about 10 years to pay back,” said Lyle Goldberg with HES PV, one of Canada’s largest solar suppliers.
