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Annapolis Community Solar Public Notice
We are writing to make you aware of a proposed Community Solar Project (Project), located at 196 Brooklyn Rd, GPS: 44.9380, -65.1370 (please see attached site plan for exact location in Annapolis County), that will be proposed to the Nova Scotia Community Solar Program. As part of the community engagement, we are sharing the outline of the Project with you.
Update: Please note, due to utility constraints, we are required to adjust the size of the solar project. The project capacity will be reduced from 7 MW AC to 4.8 MW AC. If you have any questions or require further information, please email Mila Simon at mila.simon@solarbankcorp.com
Community Solar Program Background
Nova Scotia is working toward 80% renewable energy by 2030 and becoming net-zero by 2035. Last year, the province announced its Clean Power Plan—a roadmap to reach climate goals that Nova Scotia Power are aligned with and supportive of. Community Solar Program, as part of the roadmap, was announced on March 1, 2024.
Nova Scotia’s Community Solar Program procurement will add up to 100 megawatts (MW) of clean, renewable solar generation to the grid, helping to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate climate change.
Benefits of Community Solar Gardens
Community solar gardens provide many benefits, including:
- Helping communities to get involved in developing renewable energy making renewable energy more accessible (even for people who wouldn’t be able to install solar panels, like renters, condos and people with shaded roofs).
- Helping generate more clean energy (a 4.8-megawatt solar garden can power up to 630 homes per year), helping Nova Scotia reach its target of 80% renewable energy by 2030.
- Reduce electricity costs. Subscribers get a $0.02/kWh credit on their electricity bill for the solar electricity subscribed.
- Local job opportunities and economic growth: long-term contracts can be awarded to local businesses, electricians, technicians for project development and operations & maintenance.
For more info: https://energy.novascotia.ca/renewables/community-solar-program/
Proponent Information
4579183 Nova Scotia Limited is a 100% owned Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) by AI Renewable flow-through fund. The AI Renewable 2023 LP is a Canadian flow-through limited partnership, made to invest in clean infrastructure and/or renewable energy projects that help to reduce energy costs and GHG emissions in Canada while producing tax benefits and long-term reasonable returns for investors.
Developers
AI Renewable has contracted SolarBank Corp and TriMac Engineering to work on the development.
SolarBank (www.solarbankcorp.com) is an established and trusted Canadian developer, engineer, and asset operator in renewable and clean energy projects. We specialize in behind-the-meter (BTM) solar power plants, grid-connected community solar gardens, battery energy storage systems (BESS) and EV Chargers. Since 2013, SolarBank has enabled the proliferation of renewable and clean energy contributing to Net Zero carbon emission goals through its development, engineering, and asset management services in Canada and the United States.
TriMac Engineering (www.trimaceng.ca) is a locally owned engineering firm with offices located in Sydney and Halifax, Nova Scotia. TriMac are Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Consultants, incorporated in 2015 with roots dating back to 1991. The firm has expertise in the design and implementation of piping, mechanical, electrical and control systems with extensive experience in the power generation and construction industries.
Project Information
Proponent Name: 4579183 Nova Scotia Limited
Project Name: NS – Brooklyn Rd Solar Farm
Project Size: 4.8-Megawatt AC
Zoning: GD/AG
The proposed project is currently in the early stages of proposal to the Nova Scotia Community Solar Program. If our proposal is successful and we are selected for contract, we will begin the detailed project development, including permitting, interconnection, detailed engineering, procurement, and construction.
The project will be connected to the local distribution system, to an existing Nova Scotia Power 12kV Line, Feeder Number: 65V-303. There will be an Access Road from Brooklyn Rd, Annapolis. The project site is surrounded by trees which provide visual screening and will not be visible from the road.
Community Engagement Plan
As the project developer, SolarBank plans to engage the local community as part of the development process.
This plan includes the following:
- Hosting a public meeting in an accessible location so that local residents can learn about the project, ask questions, and raise any potential concerns.
- We hosted 2 public meetings at 2 different times, to ensure we are accommodating different schedules and needs. 1 meeting was in person, while the other was online.
- Posted on local social media group page.
- Posting the Public meeting notice a minimum of 2 weeks in advance on the project website.
- Engaging with local First Nations communities and marginalized communities.
- Notifying owners of property adjacent to the project site of the public meeting via mail correspondence – we have sent out a Canada Post mail drop to properties in surrounding area.
- Notifying the municipality of the public meeting via correspondence.
- Posting all project information, site planning, and meeting minutes on project website.
- Providing contact information on project website and letters for any questions that residents may have and will be responsive in a timely matter.
Public Meeting
As part of the project development process, community members are invited to attend public meetings. The meetings are intended to ensure that community members have the chance to inform about the project and ask any questions they may have. The meetings will cover the same information, feel free to attend whichever fits best with your schedule.
In-person meetings:
Date: Tuesday, April 16th, 2024
Location: The Port George Rec Centre
12256 Shore Rd, Port George, NS, B0S 1P0
Public Meeting #1: Time: 6pm
On-line Public Meeting #2: Time: 6:30pm, Monday, April 22th, 2024
Microsoft Teams Link:
Questions and Contacts
Please feel free to reach out to me below if you have any questions regarding the Community Solar Program, companies involved, and/or proposed project.
Sincerely,
Mila Simon, Project Coordinator
SolarBank Corporation
mila.simon@solarbankcorp.com
