PowerBank Corporation Secures $1.74 Million for Nova Scotia Community Solar Projects

PowerBank Corporation has secured $1.74 million in funding through the provincial Department of Environment and Climate Change for three community solar projects in Nova Scotia. The funding, managed by Net Zero Atlantic, supports the Sydney, Brooklyn, and Petpeswick Community Solar projects as part of broader efforts to help Atlantic Canada achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. This substantial investment represents a critical step in expanding renewable energy infrastructure throughout the region while demonstrating the effectiveness of collaborative approaches to sustainable development.

The grant allocation includes specific amounts for each project: $340,000 for the Sydney Solar Project, $440,000 for the Petpeswick Solar Project, and $960,000 for the Brooklyn Solar Project. Ownership of these initiatives is divided between AI Renewable Flow-through Fund, which holds 48% ownership, and either a non-profit organization or Potlotek First Nation, which collectively hold the remaining 52%. This ownership structure ensures that local communities maintain majority control and benefit directly from the renewable energy generated.

PowerBank serves as the lead developer and builder for all three projects, collaborating with Trimac Engineering to deliver comprehensive solar solutions. The company brings substantial expertise to Canada's emerging community solar market, having previously completed more than 50 MW of community solar projects in the United States. This extensive experience positions PowerBank to effectively implement distributed energy solutions that benefit local communities while simultaneously contributing to regional and national environmental goals.

The funding through Net Zero Atlantic's program demonstrates the growing commitment to renewable energy development in Eastern Canada. Community solar projects represent an innovative approach that allows multiple participants to benefit from solar energy generation without requiring individual rooftop installations. This model makes renewable energy more accessible to diverse stakeholders including utilities, commercial entities, industrial operations, municipal organizations, and residential consumers who might otherwise face barriers to solar adoption.

This development aligns with broader energy transition initiatives across North America, where distributed generation and community-based renewable projects are becoming increasingly important components of energy infrastructure. The projects contribute to PowerBank's expanding portfolio of renewable and clean energy developments, which includes solar and Battery Energy Storage System projects across multiple markets. The successful securing of this funding highlights the viability of public-private partnerships in advancing renewable energy goals and demonstrates the economic opportunities presented by the transition to cleaner energy sources.

As communities and governments increasingly prioritize sustainability, projects like these serve as practical models for collaborative approaches to energy development that effectively balance environmental responsibility with economic practicality. The Nova Scotia community solar initiatives not only contribute directly to carbon reduction targets but also establish replicable frameworks for future renewable energy projects throughout Atlantic Canada and beyond.