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 efforts to help Atlantic Canada achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. This development represents a significant advancement in renewable energy infrastructure for the region.
The grant allocation includes $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 projects is divided between AI Renewable Flow-through Fund (48%) and either a non-profit organization or Potlotek First Nation (52%). This ownership structure ensures community involvement and benefit from the renewable energy generated.
PowerBank serves as the lead developer and builder, collaborating with Trimac Engineering to deliver the projects. The company brings substantial expertise to Canada's emerging community solar market, having completed more than 50 MW of community solar projects in the United States. This experience positions PowerBank to effectively implement distributed energy solutions that benefit local communities while contributing to environmental goals.
The funding through Net Zero Atlantic's program demonstrates the growing commitment to renewable energy development in Eastern Canada. Community solar projects allow multiple participants to benefit from solar energy generation without requiring individual rooftop installations, making renewable energy more accessible to diverse stakeholders including utilities, commercial entities, industrial operations, municipal organizations, and residential consumers.
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 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.
