Celebrating 9 years of Plugging into the Sun
October 17, 2025
In the summer of 2016, there was no solar industry to speak of in Nova Scotia. Solar was especially expensive with no incentives, and the payback period was close to the life of the system. Going solar was all about the environment. That’s when Canning residents Andrew Bagley and Christine Heap had the idea of pairing solar with a Community Economic Development Investment Fund (CEDIF), and the associated tax incentives that CEDIFs bring. Together with Amanda Brulé, they launched Nova Solar Capital (NSC), officially opening the doors in Kentville on October 11, 2016.
The first goal was getting the CEDIF, Solar Scotia Energy, underway. This program raised nearly $1.1 million (almost $4.5 million to date) and financed the installation of over 40 solar systems in 2017, representing nearly half the systems installed in Nova Scotia that year.
Rebates changed the game!
2018 saw the announcement of the SolarHomes Rebate, a program administered through Efficiency NS, giving up to $10,000 in rebates to homeowners looking to go solar. This caused an explosion in the industry, including companies from elsewhere (mostly Ontario where the rebates had just ended) setting up shop in Nova Scotia. NSC, with its tax advantaged financing program, continued to be a leader in the industry and was committed to providing the highest quality products and most aesthetically pleasing installations around.
Batteries – the next big thing
In 2019, NSC rebranded as Skylit (Skylit Energy Solutions) and dove headlong into the battery front. Grid-tied solar is a fantastic way to reduce your carbon footprint and save money on your energy costs, especially long term, but it does have one disadvantage. When the power goes out, your solar doesn’t work. It’s hard to justify having something sitting there able to produce power, yet being without, especially during prolonged outages, like after hurricanes. A battery backup system allows your solar to continue producing when the power is out, keeping you comfortable and entertained. At night, the batteries keep things running until the sun comes out in the morning.
Skylit was the first to install a grid-tied solar system with battery backup in Nova Scotia, and in 2022 launched an exclusive system, SkySTOR, that brought affordable batteries to homeowners. To date, the SkySTOR system continues to have the largest share of the market.
A truly local company, you can find Skylit’s office in Kentville and warehouse in White Rock. 13 Valley residents are currently employed full time, including admin, installers, and electricians. Thrilled to be celebrating 9 years in business, Skylit wishes all Valley businesses a happy Small Business Week!
