How Halifax’s Centre Plan creates an opening for rooftop solar

Originally published on LinkedIn. This article reflects the information and perspective at the time of the original post.

Over the past couple of months, I’ve had the opportunity to sit down for coffee with dozens of Nova Scotia clean energy industry leaders and listen to their perspectives on the exciting work happening and opportunities across the province. I learn something new every day.

Yesterday, I learned that under the Halifax Regional Municipality Centre Plan, new buildings and additions in the zones shown in my original LinkedIn post are required to have 40% of their flat roof area covered by soft landscaping, such as green roofs. One notable exception: roof areas covered by solar panels are exempt from this requirement.

For developers, solar may offer a more cost-effective compliance pathway while also helping meet increasingly stringent energy requirements in the building code. Developers can also leverage the 30% Clean Tech Investment Tax Credit to further support cost effectiveness.

This is a great example of how municipalities can support clean energy using the tools already available to them.

Here is a link to the actual interactive zoning map. The map in my original LinkedIn post was quickly put together for illustrative purposes. https://lnkd.in/ePfBPS_q (opens in a new tab)