NSP "Red Zones"

Some solar installer's sales people are either intentionally or unintentionally misrepresenting the NSP Hosting Distribution Capacity Map.

- https://nspi.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html...

The purpose of this map is to determine where in the province there is significant hosting capacity for large scale solar projects such as the Community Solar program. You cannot just install 2,000+ solar panels and expect to dump that power on the grid with no demand to offset it. You need to know where there's capacity to do that to plan major projects.

This map is not for residential solar installations or any installation less than 27 kW AC.

To clarify, under the Self-Generation Offset Program (April 2022 onward) every NSP customer may install a solar PV system up to 27 kW AC without objection or a Net Metering Contract from NSP - note that they are the electrical authority in the province so they are responsible for enforcing the Canadian Electrical Code so there are still permits and inspections.

Source:

Bill 145 of the Electricity Act - https://nslegislature.ca/.../64th_1st/3rd_read/b145.htm

The relevant section is here.

"4 Chapter 25 is further amended by adding immediately after Section 3A the following Sections:

• 3AA (1) A Nova Scotia Power Incorporated customer may, as of right, with no requirement to participate in a Nova Scotia Power Incorporated program, install a renewable low-impact generator or energy storage device with a total nameplate capacity of twenty-seven kilowatts or less."
  
  Unfortunately, misunderstanding or misrepresenting the Distribution and Capacity Map comes across as a high pressure sales tactic. "Get your solar system now or soon you'll never be able to."

For those from other provinces, note that distribution hosting capacity can be a major issue, and indeed it may become one here at some point, but under the current regulatory framework it is not an issue.

With the recent news in the solar industry it becomes increasingly important to stay well informed and aware of high pressure sales tactics.