July 2018

SolarHomes Information Session

• Overview of Efficiency Nova Scotia

• Overview of SolarHomes Program

• SolarHomes Eligibility

• Program Process

• Equipment and Installation Criteria

• Required Documents

• Overview of Efficiency Trade Network

• Question and Answer

Agenda

▪ Residential, business, non-profit,

institutional, industrial customers

▪ Incentives, financing, technical

support, installation

▪ Energy efficiency employs over

1,400 people and contributes $230

million

Efficiency Nova Scotia

3

$165million

in energy

cost savings

840,000tonnes of C02

avoided annually

435,000+energy efficient

products installed

2017 Results

1,400+ working

in energy efficiency

170+Efficiency

Network

Members

4

• Residential solar photovoltaic incentive program

• Launching mid-August 2018

• Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems only

• (Solar thermal rebates available under other programs)

• PV installations will be required to meet program criteria

and be pre-approved by Efficiency Nova Scotia

• Solar installers must be pre-approved by Efficiency Nova

Scotia and members of the Efficiency Trade Network

SolarHomes Program

• At program launch, rebate will be $1.00/watt for eligible

solar photovoltaic systems

• Based on the “nameplate” wattage of the solar panels

(DC), and not the wattage at the inverter (AC)

• Rebate may be reduced for seasonal properties

• Rebate will be capped at 40% of the overall system cost to

a maximum value of $10,000

This incentive level is subject to change at any time.

Equipment installed prior to June 25, 2018 is ineligible.

SolarHomes Rebate

• All single-family homes in Nova Scotia (including

detached, semi-detached, townhouses and mobile homes

on permanent foundations)

• Residential seasonal properties are also eligible;

however, the rebate level may be reduced

• Both grid-tied and off-grid homes are eligible, though grid-

tied (net-metered) systems are anticipated to make up the

vast majority of participants

Eligible Participants

• Participant must own the home and the equipment

(though lease to own arrangements are eligible)

• Expansions to existing systems are permitted

• New residential construction is eligible

• Co-operative housing and First Nation Band-owned

homes are eligible

Please note: At this time multi-unit residential buildings,

non-profit (non-residential use), commercial, and industrial

projects are ineligible.

Eligible Participants (cont.)

• Approved Solar Installer will assist in determining

whether a property is appropriate for a solar PV system.

• Approved Installer will consider the following:

• Shading

• Slope, area, and azimuth of the roof (for rooftop systems)

• State/condition of the roof (for rooftop systems)

• The right is reserved to not approve an application

based on the factors above. This is to ensure

participants are not negatively impacted by poorly

performing solar installations (e.g. significant shading,

panels with north facing aspects, etc.)

Eligible Participants - Site

Participants will work with Approved Solar Installers to help

navigate the program and ensure they do not experience

challenges with meeting program criteria.

• Participants contact Approved Solar Installers to obtain

quotes

• Installers will ensure property is suitable for PV

• Participant selects Installer

• Installer designs system

• Installer will work with participant to complete a pre-

approval application

Program Process Overview

• ENS will follow up with the participant and inform them

they have been pre-approved for a solar PV rebate

• ENS will indicate the rebate level and explain that this

rebate level will be available to the participant for up to 6

months for existing buildings and up to 12 months for

new construction

• Installer will navigate NS Power net-metering process

(where applicable) and install system

• Installer/Participant will submit a final rebate application

• ENS issues rebate to participant (or to installer with

participant consent)

Program Process (cont)

For pre-approval, Approved Installers will be required to

assist homeowner in submitting the following:

• Completed ENS pre-approval application form

• Quote from Approved Solar Installer, including equipment

specifications in compliance with equipment criteria

• Photos of the proposed system location showing an

unobstructed view of the roof and its surroundings

• Solar PV energy modeling details indicating anticipated

annual energy production and financial analysis

• Completed Net Metering Interconnection Request and

Equipment Information Form and supporting documentation

Required Documentation

Following the installation, the participant (with the

assistance of from their Approved Solar Installer) must

submit the required documentation, which includes the

following:

• Completed final ENS rebate application form

• Final invoices

• Final invoice amount no greater that 5% of the approved quote

and other supporting documents with the following information:

Installer name(s), address(es), phone and invoice numbers;

purchaser name and address where installed; date of purchase;

manufacturer make(s) and model number(s) and quantities; and

an itemization of costs

Required Documentation

Final Rebate Application (cont)

• Photos of the installed system (i.e. panels, inverter(s))

• Copy of passed final building inspection (where

applicable)

• Copy of final electrical inspection

• Copy of participant signed Interconnection Agreement (for

net-metered homes)

Required Documentation

• Equipment must be new

• Minimum size is 1 kW

• While the maximum system size under Nova Scotia

Power’s Advanced Net Metering program is 100 kW

per home, the rebate will cap at 10 kW

• Systems can be grid connected (i.e. net-metered), or

can be off-grid

• Equipment must be rooftop or ground-mounted and

permanently affixed to the property (i.e. no RVs,

mobile trailer homes)

Equipment & Installation Criteria

• Equipment must meet applicable provincial, federal

and municipal licenses, permits and approvals.

• Modules must carry a minimum warranty of 20-year

power performance and 10-year manufacturing

• Inverter(s) and/or micro-inverter(s) must carry a

minimum 10-year manufacturing warranty

Equipment & Installation Criteria

• All solar PV equipment installed, including array and

ancillary equipment, and all installation work must be

in compliance with the Canadian Electrical Code

(CEC) and have a CSA or other internationally

recognized standards agency symbol

• Specific standards will be available upon program

launch

Equipment & Installation Criteria

Efficiency Trade Network

Efficiency Trade Network

Benefits:

• Customers have access to Solar PV rebates

• Listed on online directory

• Use of logo in advertising

• Network Newsletter

• Training discounts

• Exclusive events

• First to be updated on new programs

Efficiency Trade Network member requirements:

• Complete Efficiency Trade Network General Participation Agreement

• Participate in at least one Efficiency Nova Scotia project per year

• Maintain a minimum of $1M in general liability insurance coverage

• Complete any mandatory program trainings

• Be compliant and in good standing with Nova Scotia Workers’

Compensation Board

• Promote Efficiency Nova Scotia programs to customers and work directly

with Efficiency Nova Scotia representatives

• Update contact information once a year

• Follow the Efficiency Trade Network Logo Guidelines

• Follow the Brand Guidelines

Projects will be tracked using Efficiency Nova Scotia’s Dynamic DSM database. In the event that an Efficiency Trade Network member does not have access to the

database, participation shall be determined by Efficiency Nova Scotia on a case by case basis.

Efficiency Trade Network

Solar PV Installer requirements:

• Offer a minimum 1 year warranty on all workmanship

• Provide proof of Nova Scotia’s Workers’ Compensation Board coverage

• Provide a copy of organizations Fall Protection Safe-Work Procedure,

ensuring it’s compliant with the Nova Scotia OH&S Act (section 21.3)

• Provide three references of solar PV installations completed, including:

• Name, phone number, email, location of install (address)

• Names of solar installer(s) on staff, including:

• number of solar installations completed

• relevant experience (e.g. resume)

• list of all relevant training and qualifications

• Names and copies of red seal certifications of all electrician(s) on staff

and/or sub-contracted (if known).

Efficiency Trade Network

Efficiency Trade Network

• Please note, if you don’t currently meet all

solar PV requirements, training may be taken

to supplement these requirements.

• Details on solar PV training are still under

development and will be shared once

finalized.

Questions?

We have answers.(Or know someone that does.)

Dave Corning

solarPV@efficiencyns.ca

Natalie Irwin

network@efficiencyns.ca