Rebates and Financing

If you live in Nova Scotia, here’s another reason to consider yourself lucky — there are now rebates available to help homeowners go solar. This support won’t cover all the costs of the installation, however. You can choose to pay for your system in full as a cash investment (minus the rebates of course!), or you can explore the energy financing programs available from participating municipalities and some solar providers.

We also recommend that you contact your personal financial institution. Some Canadian banks and credit unions offer special green loans that could help you build your solar home.

SolarHomes Rebates

All Nova Scotian homeowners are able to participate in Efficiency Nova Scotia’s SolarHomes program, supported by Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Government of Nova Scotia. SolarHomes offers rebates to help homeowners install eligible solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, using professional solar contractors approved by Efficiency Nova Scotia. To be eligible for rebates, pre-approval is required from Efficiency NS prior to installing the equipment.

The rebate is $0.30 per Watt for eligible solar PV systems up to 25% of the total cost, or a maximum of $3,000. For most solar installations, the rebate will equate to approximately 16% of the total cost.

You can also combine your SolarHomes rebate with any Nova Scotia financing program that supports clean energy! To get started on your rebate, you can visit www.efficiencyns.ca/service/solarhomes, send an email to solarpv@efficiencyns.ca or speak to Efficiency Nova Scotia’s Energy Solutions Advisors at 1 (877) 999-6035.

Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing programs

If you want to improve the energy efficiency of your home or install clean energy options including solar but don’t think you can afford the costs of installation — a Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing program could help.

If you live in Halifax, the Towns of Amherst, Bridgewater, New Glasgow, or Wolfville, or the Municipalities of Barrington, Colchester County, Cumberland County, Digby, Lunenburg, Victoria County, or Yarmouth, you can get cleaner energy for your home through special low-cost financing programs that let you pay for the upgrades at a pace you can afford.

These programs are an innovative way to finance cleaner energy. If solar makes sense for your home, these programs could reduce your upfront costs, allowing you to repay the low-cost loan over time through your property tax bill. PACE programs are designed to help homeowners pay for their upgrades with the money they save on heating, cooling and electricity costs.

Not all PACE programs support solar, so contact your local municipality to find out more.

Solar City — Halifax Regional Municipality

The Solar City program offers complete financing to eligible property owners to install a solar energy system within the Halifax Regional Municipality. Financing is fixed at a rate of 4.75% for a maximum term length of 10 years. Property owners can select their preferred solar contractor and technology which will be subject to a third-party review by the Municipality. For more information, you can contact Solar City at (902) 490-6821 or at solarcity@halifax.ca.

Town of Amherst Clean Energy Financing program

If you live in the Town of Amherst, you could qualify for financing between $15,000-$25,000 to allow homeowners install efficiency and clean energy upgrades with a low lending rate and payments can be spread over a period of 10 years. To learn more or to apply, visit www.CleanEnergyFinancing.ca or call toll-free 1 (844) 727-7818.

Bridgewater Clean Energy Financing program

Bridgewater homeowners can install clean energy upgrades and have the up-front costs paid for by the Town. A home energy assessment determines what upgrades a home is eligible for. The Town is offering up to $20,000 for qualifying homes, at a fixed low-lending rate over 10 years. Residents will benefit from the Clean Energy Financing program by eliminating the large upfront cost of upgrades, and the ability to spread instalment payments over a decade. To learn more or to apply, visit www.CleanEnergyFinancing.ca or call toll-free 1 (844) 727-7818.

Cumberland County Clean Energy Financing program

The Municipality of Cumberland County provides financing between $15,000-$25,000 to allow homeowners install efficiency and clean energy upgrades with a low lending rate and payments can be spread over a period of 10 years. To learn more or to apply, visit www.CleanEnergyFinancing.ca or call toll-free 1 (844) 727-7818.

District of Lunenburg Clean Energy Financing program

The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg provides financing up to $10,000 that allows homeowners to install efficiency and clean energy upgrades with a low lending rate of 4%, and payments can be spread over a period of 10 years. To learn more or to apply, visit www.CleanEnergyFinancing.ca or call toll-free 1 (844) 727-7818. This program does not apply to the Town of Lunenburg.

District of Digby Clean Energy Financing program

If you live in the Municipality of the District of Digby, you could qualify for up to $15,000 toward your efficiency and clean energy upgrades at a fixed low lending rate of 4% over 10 years. Residents of the municipality may apply, but this program is not available to residents of the Town of Digby. To learn more or to apply, visit www.CleanEnergyFinancing.ca or call toll-free 1 (844) 727-7818.

District of Barrington Clean Energy Financing program

Homeowners in The District of the Municipality of Barrington who qualify can apply for up to $10,000 in low-cost financing for efficiency and clean energy upgrades of their homes. To learn more or to apply, visit www.CleanEnergyFinancing.ca or call toll-free 1 (844) 727-7818.

Solar Colchester PACE program

Solar Colchester helps eligible property owners in Colchester install photovoltaic solar panels with up to $30,000 in financing assistance from the municipality. Residential property owners repay the cost of the project over 15 years at 0% interest. To find out more, go to https://www.colchester.ca/solarcolchester.

New Glasgow Clean Energy Financing program

New Glasgow homeowners can install clean energy upgrades and have the up-front costs paid for by the Town. A home energy assessment determines what upgrades a home is eligible for. The Town is offering up to $15,000 for qualifying homes, at a fixed low-lending rate of 1.5% over 10 years. Residents will benefit from the Clean Energy Financing program by eliminating the large upfront cost of upgrades, and the ability to spread instalment payments over a decade. To learn more or to apply, visit www.CleanEnergyFinancing.ca or call toll-free 1 (844) 727-7818.

District of Victoria County Clean Energy Financing program

Victoria County provides financing up to $20,000 that allows homeowners to install efficiency and clean energy upgrades with a low lending rate of 4%, and payments can be spread over a period of 10 years. To learn more or to apply, visit www.CleanEnergyFinancing.ca or call toll-free 1 (844) 727-7818.

Switch Wolfville financing program

If you live in the Town of Wolfville, you can save on energy and help meet Wolfville’s goals for a sustainable future. Whether you are looking to get off oil with a heat pump or solar panels – the Switch Wolfville Program can help you every step of the way. They offer 0% financing for up to $40,000, and payments are spread over 15 years. Visit pace-atlantic.org/switch-wolfville for more information, or call 902-454-0899.

District of Yarmouth Clean Energy Financing program

If you live in the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth, you could qualify for up to $15,000 toward your efficiency and clean energy upgrades at a low lending rate over 10 years. To learn more or to apply, visit www.CleanEnergyFinancing.ca or call toll-free 1 (844) 727-7818. This program does not include the Town of Yarmouth.

Want a PACE program for your community? Contact your municipality and let them know!

Private Financing Programs

Polaron

Polaron is the largest residential solar installer in Canada with local presence here in Nova Scotia. With over 3500+ installations their experience and company history is well suited to help anyone go solar. They offer a unique lease-to-own option with a $1 transfer rate with a 12-year term. This allows their clients to go solar and invest in their home without affecting their day-to-day budget and lifestyle. Find out more.

Skylit Solar

As a Community Economic Development Investment Fund (CEDIF), Skylit (formerly Nova Solar) is a community initiative rather than a commercial bank, so you would be receiving community-sourced financing from a local Nova Scotian company. You might qualify for a financing lease from Skylit Solar at low rates over a 10 year term with the option to buy your system for a $50 transfer fee at the end of the lease, to continue generating electricity for the remaining life of the system. Find out more.

Credit Union Atlantic Go Green Financing

Credit Union Atlantic (CUA) offers a variety of financing options for green energy installations and upgrades, with low financing rates for energy-efficient upgrades. CUA is an official financing partner of Efficiency Nova Scotia, and recommends a Home Energy Assessment before beginning your home energy efficiency project. Find out more.

Doctor Solar Financing

Doctor Solar offers low rates on financing to purchase energy efficient solar systems and flexible payment schedules, interest terms and amortizations to a maximum of 10 years. Find out more.