Home solar guide
Nova Scotia
Home solar in Nova Scotia: net metering at 19¢ power
A step-by-step guide to home solar in Nova Scotia: the 27 kW Self-Generating Option, why high power prices carry the payback, and heat pump rebates that stack.
The full walk-through
A step-by-step guide to home solar in Nova Scotia: the 27 kW Self-Generating Option, why high power prices carry the payback, and heat pump rebates that stack.
Energy rate19.128¢/kWhSince May 1, 2026
Self-Generating Optionup to 27 kWExports banked
Heat pump rebateup to $15,000Moderate-income stream
Step by step
- Look at your usageTwelve months of NS Power bills tell us how big the system should be.
- Size to your yearly useExports are banked as credits against your own use, so there's little point going bigger.
- Check financingHalifax's Solar City program offers 10-year property-tax financing.
- Plans to NS PowerNo application needed under 27 kW. Your installer sends electrical plans to NS Power's inspection team.
- Install and inspectInstall, electrical inspection, then the meter swap.
- Add a heat pumpEfficiency Nova Scotia rebates still run, and a heat pump turns solar into heating savings.
How the money stacks
| Program | What it's worth |
|---|---|
| SolarHomes rebate | Closed April 2025 |
| Net metering | Up to 27 kW, kWh credits |
| Heat pump rebates | Up to $5,000, or $15,000 moderate-income |
| HomeWarming | Free heat pump for income-qualified homes |
| Halifax Solar City | ≈4.75%, 10-year property-tax financing |
Sizing your system
At over 19¢ a kWh, every kWh you make and use is valuable, and banked credits are worth the same. Size to the year, not to the roof.
Batteries
With net metering crediting exports kWh-for-kWh, a battery here is mainly for storm outages, not savings.
Questions to ask any installer
- Is the system sized to my last 12 months of usage, or to the roof?
- Which incentive are you counting in the price, and is it open today?
- Who files the utility application and the rebate paperwork?
- What are the panel, inverter and workmanship warranties, in years?
- What does the payback look like if export credits or rates change?
Our take
The rebate is gone, but Nova Scotia's power price does the work. Don't let anyone quote you a rebate that closed in April 2025.
Sources · checked October 2026
For homes
Rates and programs at a glance
Electricity rates for homes
How homes pay for power
Nova Scotia Power has one residential rate across the province, and it's among the highest in our markets. That's why solar makes sense here even without a rebate.
Energy rate19.128¢/kWhSince May 1, 2026
Base charge$20.08/monthWas $19.17
Next stepJan 1, 2027NS Power applied for +4.1%
What this means for solar
Every kWh your panels make and you use saves you over 19¢. Exports are banked as credits against your own use, so a system sized to your yearly consumption is usually the sweet spot.
Sources · checked October 2026
Home solar programs
The short version
The SolarHomes rebate closed in April 2025, so there's no upfront solar cash. Net metering and high power prices carry the payback. Heat pumps still have strong rebates.
Self-Generating Optionup to 27 kWExports banked as credits
Heat pump rebateup to $15,000Moderate-income stream
Halifax Solar City≈4.75%10-year property-tax financing
Nova Scotia home net meteringUp to 27 kWRead the program →Nova Scotia heat pump rebatesUp to $5,000 or $15,000Read the program →HomeWarmingFree heat pump for income-qualified homesRead the program →National Heat Pump RebateUp to $10,000 for below-median incomes, $2,000 for other households. Applications expected early 2027.Read the program →
No application is needed for the 27 kW option; your installer sends electrical plans to NS Power's inspection team.
Sources · checked October 2026
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