HALIFAX
Solar City program relaunches with expanded options for property owners

The Halifax Regional Municipality is pleased to once again offer its award-winning Solar City program, which assists individual property owners with the purchase and installation of solar energy systems.

Following a successful two-year pilot program, Regional Council approved the extension of the program with expanded solar technology options for an additional three-year period. The program now provides property owners with three solar energy installation options; solar hot water, solar hot air and solar photovoltaic (PV).

Solar City facilitates the purchase of solar energy systems for individual property owners by directing them to local solar energy industry experts and offering financing for qualified property owners through a voluntary local improvement charge.

Interested property owners can easily register online at www.halifax.ca/solarcity; each applicant will receive a unique user ID that will be used to track the applicant's status throughout the five-step process.

Qualified Solar City participants can finance all or part of the cost to purchase and install the solar energy system through the municipality. Repayment can take place over a maximum 10-year period; payments are collected through pre-authorized transactions on a frequency to be determined by the property owner.

Switching to a renewable energy source such as solar is a win-win. It helps support a green economy by increasing investment in the local solar energy industry. It can redirect the savings in reduced utility costs so individual property owners can reinvest in their property, pay down a principle on their debt, or save for retirement.  It also helps the municipality meet commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to curb the effects of climate change.

Solar City supports the municipality's efforts to shape and nurture sustainable communities through creative green energy planning, policies and programming. For more information on the program, please visit www.halifax.ca/solarcity.