Evidence Regarding NSP's Solar Garden Rate Rider Proposal - Melissa Whited

Nova Scotia Power Inc (NSPI) filed a proposal in June 2021 to implement a pilot solar garden rate rider, which would establish the charges and solar generation credits that subscribing customers receive from a 2 MW solar garden being constructed in Amherst, Nova Scotia. On behalf of the Counsel for the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board, Synapse’s Melissa Whited submitted written evidence regarding aspects of the proposal that are inconsistent with recent provincial policy developments, particularly with respect to carbon emissions policy, and about the benefits of the program to subscribers.

The evidence also identified areas where additional information and transparency are needed and recommended that the Board make requirements with respect to tracking and reporting on the performance of the program, the output of the solar garden, and subscription revenues. In its decision on this matter, the Board ordered NSPI to provide, at the end of the pilot, analysis to consider rider amendments to reflect the learnings from the pilot and account for changes in environmental compliance costs.