To be built on Grand Lake RoadAuthor of the article: PNI Atlantic Published May 06, 2025 • Last updated 56 minutes ago • 2 minute readA new community solar garden is coming Sydney’s affordable housing community, Pine Tree Park Estates. – Reuters Photo by Reuters Inc. /Reuters Inc.Sydney Solar will be built on Grand Lake Road as part of the province’s Community Solar Program which allows people to subscribe to solar gardens for clean electricity at a reduced cost.It will be the second solar garden in the community.AI Renewables and the Multicultural Association of Cape Breton are partnering on the Sydney Solar project. The province is contributing $340,000 to help build the solar garden, which will produce 1.7 megawatts.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle content“At the Multicultural Association of Cape Breton, we are committed to building a stronger, more inclusive and sustainable future for all,” Lan Zheng, president of the Multicultural Association of Cape Breton, said in a press release.“Community solar gardens reflect the power of collective action – making clean, renewable energy that is more accessible to everyone, including newcomer families. By supporting initiatives like these, we not only help reduce energy costs and carbon emissions, but also ensure our diverse communities are actively shaping a greener, more equitable Nova Scotia.”AI Renewables is also partnering with other organizations to build solar gardens in West Petpeswick, Halifax Regional Municipality, and Brooklyn, Annapolis County.The first solar garden in the program launched in the fall at Pine Tree Park Estates in Sydney. It is supplying 555 kilowatts of solar energy to 29 residential and commercial subscribers in facilities owned by New Dawn Enterprises.Article contentThe province created the Community Solar Program to provide people who cannot install their own solar panels the option to buy solar power from a community provider.The reasons why people cannot generate solar power vary, including lack of roof space, too much shade, living in an apartment, condo or other shared housing arrangement, or cost.“Nova Scotia is blessed with natural resources – including the sun – to power our green economy and move to clean electricity,” said John White, MLA for Glace Bay-Dominion, on behalf of Energy Minister Trevor Boudreau, in a press release.“This new solar garden in Sydney means investment in the community, more green jobs, a greener grid and a chance for Nova Scotians to take some ownership of the move to clean energy.”The province is committed to introducing at least 500 megawatts of new local, renewable energy by 2026 and an additional 50 megawatts of new community solar to be built over five years.SOLAR FACTSArticle content– One megawatt of electricity can power more than 100 homes for a year; each community solar garden can produce from 0.5 to 10 megawatts of power– Eligible groups can work together to build and own a solar garden– subscribers can be residential or commercial; they get a solar energy credit of $0.02 per kilowatt hour on their power bill for energy generated by their subscription– The provincial funding is part of $10.5 million that the province has given to Net Zero Atlantic to manage a grant program for building solar gardens– The department is updating the program based on experience from the first year; proponents should hold new applications until June when updates are doneArticle content
Multicultural Association of Cape Breton partnering on second solar garden for Sydney
