How we unlock plug-in solar across Canada

These are the regulatory levers, jurisdiction by jurisdiction, that permit certified plug-in solar without legislation. Pick a campaign to see the specific actors, mechanisms, and precedents.

Photo: Dpalma01 / CC BY-SA 4.0

Pathways

Don't need legislation

With precedent

Nova Scotia — what unlocks it

Nolan Young — Minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration

Mechanism: Amendment to provincial electrical code regulations

Create a plug-in generation class for certified systems under 1200W with reduced permit and electrician requirements for cord-and-outlet connection only.

Legal basis: Provincial electrical safety and the permit regime sit under the Labour ministry in Nova Scotia. Amendments can create a cord-connected plug-in solar class for certified equipment without legislative action.

Legislature required? No

Tim Houston — Premier and Minister of Energy

Mechanism: Policy direction and UARB rulemaking under the Electricity Act (NS)

Create a plug-in generation category in the Solar Adopter / Net Metering program for certified systems under 1200W — exempt from engineering review, interconnection agreement, and meter upgrade. On-site use only, anti-islanding required.

Legal basis: Nova Scotia Power operates under UARB regulation. The Minister of Energy (currently the Premier) can direct policy through the Electricity Act and related statutes, including tariff and interconnection structures. A plug-in class can be established through a Solar Adopter program amendment or a new tariff filing at UARB.

Legislature required? No

Precedent: Nova Scotia has used UARB rulemaking to create and modify net metering, community solar, and Green Choice programs. The mechanism is routinely exercised.

Help unlock plug-in solar

Add your name to the Nova Scotia petition. The same email lands in front of the people listed above.

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