Expanded solar panel installation program begins in Halifax

A program which offers homeowners in Halifax loans to put solar panels on their houses is back in an expanded form following a two-year pilot project.

Almost 400 solar systems were installed on homes around the city during the pilot project phase, which ended in 2015.

Now, Halifax regional councillors have approved the continuation of the Solar City program for another three years, and registration is open to the public.

Information Morning - NS6:48Halifax's Solar City program is back

After a two-year pilot project, city councillors have renewed the Solar City project for another three years. The program gives loans to people who want to install solar panels on their houses. Adam Hayter is an energy specialist with HRM.

"Having more choice is always a good thing," said Adam Hayter, energy specialist with the city. Thisprogram will help Haligonians reduce their costs, he said, and "take a hold of their energy independence."

There's alsothe environmental impact.

"There's a real cost to carbon in terms of the impacts to health and our communities, so this is just a way to help avoid those issues that come from increasing our carbon emissions," Hayter said.

Costs

City councillors have authorized a $13-millionbudget for loans during the next phase of the project.

The city pays the installation costs and property owners pay the full amount back at a low interest rate over 10 years through a Local Improvement Charge on the property.

More options this time

The original program was limited to solar hot water systems, which heat water for domestic uses such asshowers, dishesand laundry.

The new program includes solar hot air systemswhich can be used for home heating, and solar photovoltaic systems which produce electricity that can be sold back to Nova Scotia Power.

• Solar City Halifax saves 30 million litres of water

More local businesses involved

In 2013, some business owners complained after the city selected only one company to supply the solar panels for the project. This time, the process is open to any certified solar contractors.

This will help build expertise within the local solar industry, Hayter said, and that is "something that can be exported out in terms of the knowledge and the capacity for creating better communities."

Not too foggy here

Hayter said it's a misconception that Halifax doesn't get enough sun to warrant the installation of solar panels.

You don't need direct sun to make the technology work, he said. "Even on a cloudy, overcast, foggy day, you can actually still generate a fair bit of solar energy."

Halifax receives more solar energy during the course of a year than Germany, Hayter said, "and they're considered a world leader for adopting solar."

• Werth Solar leaves customers in the dark when panels not installed