Solar Incentives and Rebates in Nova Scotia
What is actually active right now, what has closed, and how the pieces stack for a real Nova Scotia property.
What Is Active in Nova Scotia Right Now
A lot of the rebate programs homeowners remember hearing about have closed. SolarHomes, the Efficiency Nova Scotia rebate that used to knock a few thousand dollars off a system's cost, closed to new applications on April 17, 2025. The federal Canada Greener Homes Grant closed in February 2024, and the Canada Greener Homes Loan followed on October 1, 2025.
What remains is arguably more valuable than any of those closed rebates: NS Power's net metering program and municipal PACE financing. Neither one is a rebate in the traditional sense, but together they do more for a typical homeowner's 25-year savings than SolarHomes ever did.
NS Power Net Metering
How It Works
NS Power credits every kilowatt-hour your system exports to the grid at the full retail rate, one for one. When your panels produce more than your home uses in a given hour, the surplus flows back onto the grid and shows up as a credit on your account. When your panels are not producing, typically at night, you draw power back and the credits offset that usage.
Credits roll over for 12 months. If you generate more than you use over a full year, the excess is forfeited rather than paid out in cash, which is why proper system sizing matters more than maximizing panel count.
Why This Matters More Than a Rebate
A rebate reduces your upfront cost once. Net metering reduces your electricity cost for the life of the system, and its value increases every time NS Power's rates go up. Over 25 years, a well-sized system's net metering credits are typically worth several times more than any rebate program ever offered.
No Money Down Through Property Tax Financing
PACE, short for Property Assessed Clean Energy, lets a homeowner finance a solar or battery system through their property tax bill instead of a personal loan or line of credit. The loan stays with the property rather than the individual, and repayment shows up as a Local Improvement Charge alongside regular tax installments.
Active Programs by Municipality
Halifax Regional Municipality runs Solar City, the longest-running PACE program in the province, covering both solar and combined solar plus battery installs. The Town of Bridgewater administers its own Clean Energy Financing program on the South Shore. Other municipalities, including several in Cape Breton, participate through Clean Foundation's broader PACE Atlantic network. Terms vary by municipality, so we confirm current rates and eligibility for your specific address as part of every estimate.
Programs for Businesses and Non-Profits
Federal Clean Technology Investment Tax Credit
Commercial solar installations can claim a federal investment tax credit against eligible equipment costs. Battery storage paired with solar generally qualifies as well. Eligibility and the exact credit rate depend on your business structure, so we recommend confirming details with your accountant alongside our commercial solar quote.
Commercial Net Metering
NS Power's net metering program extends to commercial accounts using the same 1:1 crediting structure as residential, making it a strong fit for businesses with predictable daytime electricity loads.
Programs No Longer Accepting Applications
| Program | Status | What Replaced It |
|---|---|---|
| SolarHomes (Efficiency NS) | Closed April 17, 2025 | Net metering remains the primary long-term value driver |
| Canada Greener Homes Grant | Closed February 2024 | No direct federal residential replacement currently active |
| Canada Greener Homes Loan | Closed October 1, 2025 | Municipal PACE financing (Solar City and equivalents) |
Program status can change. We confirm current availability for every quote rather than relying on this table alone.
A Realistic Stacking Example
Stack the Right Programs for Your Address
Send us your municipality and a recent NS Power bill. We will confirm which financing programs apply and model your real 25-year numbers.
Get Your Free Estimate