New to Solar? Unsure if It’s Right for Nova Scotia?
Not sure how solar energy works or if it’s the best choice for your home in NS? Find all the answers you need right here. From understanding the basics to exploring the benefits, we’ve got you covered. Dive in and see how solar can power your future!
Understanding Solar Power
Solar power is the process of converting sunlight into electricity using solar panels. These panels are made up of photovoltaic (PV) cells that capture sunlight and convert it into direct current (DC) electricity. An inverter then transforms this DC electricity into alternating current (AC), which is the type of electricity used in homes and businesses.
Solar power is not only an environmentally friendly choice but also a practical and cost-effective way to meet your energy needs. Whether you’re interested in lowering your energy bills, reducing your carbon footprint, or increasing the value of your property, solar power offers a range of benefits that make it an attractive option for homeowners and businesses alike.
The key benefits of solar power include:
- Renewable Energy Source: Solar power is a clean, renewable energy source that reduces reliance on fossil fuels and lowers greenhouse gas emissions.
- Cost Savings: Once installed, solar panels can significantly reduce your electricity bills by generating free power from the sun.
- Low Maintenance: Solar panels require minimal maintenance and can last for 25 years or more, providing long-term energy savings.
- Energy Independence: By generating your own electricity, you become less dependent on the grid and more resilient to energy price fluctuations.
Why Nova Scotia is Perfect for Solar Energy？
- Over 2,000 hours of sunshine annually in Nova Scotia
- Ideal moderate climate for efficient solar panel operation
- $3,000 government rebate available for solar installations
- Significant long-term savings on energy costs
- Reduce your carbon footprint with renewable energy
Nova Scotia might surprise you with its solar potential. Despite its northern location, the province enjoys long hours of daylight, especially in the summer months. With over 2,000 hours of sunshine annually, Nova Scotia provides an excellent environment for solar power generation. Additionally, the province’s moderate climate ensures that solar panels operate efficiently without the risk of overheating, allowing you to harness the sun’s energy consistently throughout the year.
But the benefits don’t stop there. The Nova Scotia government actively supports solar adoption through incentives like the $3,000 SolarHomes rebate. This program helps make solar energy more affordable by significantly reducing the upfront costs of installation. By taking advantage of this rebate, homeowners can enjoy substantial financial assistance, making the transition to solar energy more accessible and manageable.
Is Solar Energy More Affordable in Nova Scotia?
Absolutely! Electricity in Nova Scotia isn’t cheap, which makes solar power a smart option. On average, electricity costs about $0.183 per kWh. With solar panels, you can generate your own electricity and get credited at a rate of $0.056 per kWh. This credit rate is also increasing by 2% each year, so your savings could grow over time.
For example, if your monthly electricity bill is around $100, switching to solar with a 4 kW system could lower that bill to just $27.44 a month, or $329.28 a year. That’s a big difference, making solar a worthwhile investment for cutting down your energy costs in Nova Scotia.
What is a Credit Rate?
When you install solar panels, you might produce more electricity than you use. In Nova Scotia, this extra electricity can be sent back to the power grid. For this, you get a credit from the electricity company at a rate of $0.056 per kWh (kilowatt-hour).
This means that for every unit of electricity you send back to the grid, you earn a credit that reduces your electricity bill. So, the more solar power you generate and send back, the more you save on your energy costs. Over time, this can lead to significant savings, making solar a smart choice for reducing your electricity expenses.
Nova Scotia’s Energy Problem
Nova Scotia is trying to reach its goal of 80% renewables by 2030, which is basically an impossible task being that currently, 42% of the power from NSP comes from coal, and about 17% comes from gas/oil.
Nova Scotia’s (new) carbon tax and annual increases in power costs from Nova Scotia Power (NSP) are making it harder to keep up with expenses while protecting the environment. Most people are using more electricity than ever, getting heat pumps, electric vehicles and more, creating a higher demand on our almost 150-year-old electric grid. Combine that with a population expected to double (though currently expanding by 3% per year), carbon tax increases, 6.9% NSP increases and more, and it puts us into a really bad situation.
Some calculations say we may use up to 250% of the amount of power we are right now within the next seven years while prices, with carbon tax included, could double our power prices. It’s time for a sustainable and cost-effective solution.
Why wait, and pay more for power? The Greener Homes 0% financing incentive and $3000 rebate won’t be here forever; It has been changed multiple times already. You are already paying for power; This is similar to switching providers for a better deal, so this won’t affect your savings or monthly expenses in a meaningful way. The sooner you get solar, the lower the cost will be; Prices are increasing with inflation and demand.
Interested in Solar Energy? Want to learn more and get your own customized solar plan?
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Provincial Head Office
767 Old Sambro Road Harrietsfield, NS
B3V 1A3 -
Customer Care:
(902) 418-4947
Sales:
(902) 418-4881 -
sales@nsgoessolar.ca
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