10 Years of Plugging Nova Scotia into the Sun

A lot has changed in the solar industry in Nova Scotia in 10 years. When Skylit (then called Nova Solar Capital) launched in 2016, there were no government incentives for going solar, and the costs meant the payback period was close to the life of the system. Going solar then was all about lowering your carbon footprint and doing the right thing for the planet. There were a handful of companies doing installations in Nova Scotia, but the industry was very small.

We launched a CEDIF, Solar Scotia Energy, with the first share offering closing in 2017, to create a financing vehicle for going solar, as well as get some incentives in the form of equity tax credits. This allowed us to establish a firm hold in the industry in Nova Scotia with a customer service-based focus, and a capability to bring together all the pieces necessary to create a very cogent case for going solar. The ability to buy product in bulk allowed us to establish relationships with manufacturers that served us well in the volatile market during Trump’s first term and has continued to provide a stable supply of materials over the years, which can be a struggle for small businesses who rely on distributors for products.

Rebates Changed the Game

With the launch of the SolarHomes rebate in 2018, the industry exploded. The incentive – up to $10,000 to start with, brought companies to NS from Ontario (where the rebates had ended) and gave rise to an incredible number of solar businesses across the province. Our focus continued to be on providing the highest quality materials and installations, maintaining our great relationships with suppliers and customers.

We’ve always been on the forefront, bringing new technologies and products to Nova Scotia. For example, we were the first in Canada to use Hoymiles microinverters, initially importing them from China, and now Hoymiles has become a well very established technology here.

Batteries – The New Frontier

In 2019 we entered the battery space. Partnering with NSCC, we installed the first grid-tied battery backup system in the province and have continued to dominate this market by creating our own SkyStor systems with LuxPowerTek inverters and Pytes batteries. Again, we were the first company to bring these products into the country.

We’ve continued to do more and larger systems in the commercial sector especially for farms and other agri-businesses where the federal investment tax credits have helped make solar more feasible through quicker payback periods.

A New Reality

The residential rebates decreased over time and now have gone away entirely. This can have a chilling effect on a market, and will no doubt spell the end for some solar businesses in Nova Scotia. But Skylit continues to be on the firm footing that we established back in 2016.

Our core team has been here since the beginning, and our philosophy as a company has been to build the business incrementally, ensuring we remain on solid footing, giving our customers peace of mind we are here long term. For on or off-grid, commercial, or residential, we continue to be your solar and battery experts – 10 years and counting.