Berwick Solar
The Municipality of Cumberland, in partnership with the Alternative Resource Energy Authority , is preparing a proposal for the Province of Nova Scotia’s Community Solar Program, which was launched by the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables in February 2024. You can learn more about the program at Community Solar Program.
As part of the application process, the municipality is currently conducting essential studies, including site selection analysis, geotechnical assessments, preliminary environmental work along with preliminary engineering and design.
This community solar project is a collaborative effort between the Municipality of Cumberland and the Town of Truro, with AREA responsible for managing its construction. The project aims to provide renewable energy to you and other Nova Scotians.
If the project is approved by the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables, the Municipality of Cumberland and the Town of Truro will collectively own the solar project and sell energy to Nova Scotia Power Inc. under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), ensuring long-term sustainable benefits for the community.
Amherst Solar
What is a PPA?
Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) are contractual agreements between electricity generators and buyers. They are commonly used in the renewable energy industry, although they can also be employed in traditional energy sectors.
In a PPA, the electricity generator agrees to sell a specified amount of electricity to the buyer (in this case, Nova Scotia Power, Inc.) over a predetermined period of 25 years. The buyer, in turn, commits to purchasing the agreed-upon electricity output at an agreed-upon price.
Parrsboro Solar
Who is involved?
Residents of the Municipality of Cumberland and the Town of Truro will have the first option to subscribe to the project. Solar subscriptions for community members provide citizens with an accessible and inclusive alternative to rooftop solar. Municipal Councils will need to approve the subscription process, which is currently under development.
What has the process been so far?
The site at 2 Herrett Road, Springhill has been selected as the development location because of:
- Access to transmission lines.
- It is a post-industrial site.
- The land is owned by the municipality.
We are proposing a 7-megawatt (MW) solar project, which is estimated to produce green energy to power more than 1,000 homes. We plan to organize an Open House event to collect feedback from the community about the project by the end of October or early November 2024.
Mahone Bay Solar
The Springhill Solar Project Objectives
- Develop a solar project that provides significant environmental and economic benefits to project owners and the communities they serve
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support Nova Scotia’s climate actions and renewable energy objectives
- Provide project owners’ residents with clean, renewable energy at affordable prices.
How can I learn more?
For more information on the Springhill solar project please