Nova Scotia Solar After SolarHomes: What's Left in 2026
August 29, 2026
VerifiedOctober 15, 2026
Next reviewNovember 28, 2026
AuthorGriffEnergy Research Team
The short answer
Nova Scotia's SolarHomes rebate closed in April 2025, so there is no upfront provincial cash. But NS still has one of the country's most valuable net-metering arrangements — roughly 1:1 credit at about 19.1¢/kWh — and because power here is expensive, that ongoing credit often beats a one-time rebate elsewhere.
Nova Scotia gets written off in national solar coverage because it no longer has a headline rebate. That is a mistake. The economics here are driven by the electricity rate, not by a grant, and on that measure Nova Scotia is one of the strongest solar provinces in Canada.
Why the rate matters more than the rebate
Solar's value comes from the power you no longer buy. In a province with cheap electricity, a big rebate is doing most of the work; in a province with expensive electricity, the savings do it themselves, year after year, for 25 years. Nova Scotia has among the highest residential rates in Canada, so every kilowatt-hour your roof produces displaces an expensive one.
How net metering works here
Nova Scotia Power has offered net metering since 2010. Surplus generation is credited at approximately the retail rate — about 19.1¢/kWh (NS Power's residential energy rate of 19.128¢/kWh since May 1, 2026) — with credits rolling forward across a 12-month cycle so your strong summer offsets your weak winter. That structure is what makes a properly sized system work in a province with real seasonal swing.
What closed, and what did not
SolarHomes, which at its peak paid $1.00/W before tapering to $0.30/W, closed to homeowners in April 2025. Federal support closed too: the Greener Homes Grant in 2024 and the interest-free loan in October 2025. What remains open is net metering, plus commercial and non-profit streams aimed at organisations rather than households. If a page still advertises SolarHomes to homeowners, it is out of date.
How to think about it
A Nova Scotia homeowner should model the lifetime value of displaced power rather than hunting for an upfront cheque that no longer exists. Size the system against your actual annual consumption, take advantage of the 12-month credit rollover, and be realistic about winter production. The absence of a rebate raises your upfront cost — it does not by itself make the project a bad one.
Is there any solar rebate in Nova Scotia now?
Not for homeowners. SolarHomes closed in April 2025 and federal grants have closed. Net metering remains the core benefit.
Is solar still worth it without a rebate?
Often yes, because Nova Scotia's high electricity rates mean the power you displace is worth more than in most provinces. Model it against your own bill.
Do credits expire?
Credits roll forward on a 12-month cycle, which is what lets summer production cover winter shortfall.
Will SolarHomes come back?
No announcement suggests so. We track program changes and date every figure on this site, so check the verification stamp above for currency.
Primary sources
- Efficiency Nova Scotia — SolarHomes program closure
- Nova Scotia Power — net metering terms and credit rollover
- Natural Resources Canada — Canada Greener Homes Grant and Loan closures
Wondering how winter affects a Nova Scotia system? See Do solar panels work in Canadian winters?
Verified October 15, 2026. Electricity rates are regulated and change over time — confirm current rates and program terms before deciding. General information, not financial advice.
