The Town of Mahone Bay's
Community Solar Garden
The Mahone Bay Community Solar Garden has been producing energy since January 12th, 2024.
A screenshot of the Sunny Portal from December 19th 2024.
The Community Solar Garden has been in development since 2019.
The Alternative Resource Energy Authority is a municipally owned company which was formed in 2014 by the Towns of Antigonish, Berwick, and Mahone Bay to pool the resources of their municipal electric utilities. This partnership enabled the development of the Ellershouse Wind Farm, which is owned by the three partner municipalities. AREA has been developing solar projects in Nova Scotia since 2017 and has developed commercial solar for 20 rural municipalities across the province through the Solar for Community Buildings Program.
AREA received funding from the Low Carbon Communities program to research the community solar garden project in 2019. At the conclusion of this research, AREA and the Towns issued various public tenders to solicit proposals from industry to ultimately build the projects. Learn more about AREA here!
Construction Blog - Timeline
January 2024
As of January 12th around 11:30am, the solar garden is officially switched on!
January 2024
As of January 12th around 11:30am, the solar garden is officially switched on!
What an exciting day!
Today the Mahone Bay solar garden went online. Starting now roughly 16% of the electricity used in Mahone Bay will come from the solar garden!
Pictured from left to right: Marianne Peryer, AREA; Lauren Clark, ToMB; Mayor David Devenne; Honourable Susan Corkum-Greek, MLA; Dylan Heide, ToMB; Daniel Gidman, Goldbeck; Phil Lawson, ToMB.
December 2023
The 3rd annual Solar Garden Open House took place on December 11th.
December 13th - Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Mahone Bay Solar Garden Open House. Despite the weather, many people came out to have their questions answered, and to enjoy some festive treats.
- November 2023
- October 2023
- September 2023
- August 2023
- July 2023
- June 2023
May 2023
April 2023
Existing power poles along Pine Grove Street were prepared by K-line to run new electricity lines from the solar garden to our power substation on School Street. New equipment was added, and the existing line was moved to a new position.
Existing power poles along Pine Grove Street were prepared by K-line to run new electricity lines from the solar garden to our power substation on School Street. New equipment was added, and the existing line was moved to a new position.
- March 2023
- February 2023
- January 2023
- February 2023
- January 2023
December 2022
The Mahone Bay Town Council had a very informative site tour of the Community Solar Garden on Friday, December 16th. There is nothing quite like a wet, windy December morning to be grateful for a future of municipally-generated power right here in Mahone Bay to keep our homes warm!
The Mahone Bay Town Council had a very informative site tour of the Community Solar Garden on Friday, December 16th. There is nothing quite like a wet, windy December morning to be grateful for a future of municipally-generated power right here in Mahone Bay to keep our homes warm!
November 2022
October 2022
All piles were delivered and installed on site.
All piles were delivered and installed on site.
The second Solar Garden Open House took place on October 19th 2022. One hundred people attended this event.
- September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
On July 12th and 13th, wood from the site clearing at the Community Solar Garden was made available to members of the public, free of charge. The wood was stacked in approximately 6 to 8 foot lengths, and a contractor was on site to assist with cutting to a manageable length.
On July 12th and 13th, wood from the site clearing at the Community Solar Garden was made available to members of the public, free of charge. The wood was stacked in approximately 6 to 8 foot lengths, and a contractor was on site to assist with cutting to a manageable length.
June 2022
May 2022
Site clearing was completed to accommodate the construction of the solar garden.
Site clearing was completed to accommodate the construction of the solar garden.
- April 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
January 2022
Design optimization and preliminary engineering studies took place. Strum Engineering Associates Ltd. completed a site survey.
Design optimization and preliminary engineering studies took place. Strum Engineering Associates Ltd. completed a site survey.
The solar photovoltaic panels arrived in Halifax on January 20th.
The Site
The Community Solar Garden was built at the site of the current wastewater treatment plant, located at 918 Main St. This site was chosen as the preferred option because it is owned by the Town and has the correct zoning. Placing the Community Solar Garden on the same property as the existing Wastewater Treatment Plant also maximizes the use of the property to the benefit of all residents.
The majority of the site was clearcut in the late 1980's when the wastewater treatment plant was installed. The slope of the property was artificially created by the leftover fill when the lagoons were dug. The site was regraded to accommodate the solar panels.
The Community Solar Garden was built at the site of the current wastewater treatment plant, located at 918 Main St. This site was chosen as the preferred option because it is owned by the Town and has the correct zoning. Placing the Community Solar Garden on the same property as the existing Wastewater Treatment Plant also maximizes the use of the property to the benefit of all residents.
The majority of the site was clearcut in the late 1980's when the wastewater treatment plant was installed. The slope of the property was artificially created by the leftover fill when the lagoons were dug. The site was regraded to accommodate the solar panels.
November 2021
The first Solar Garden Open House took place at the Mahone Bay Legion on November 4th. One hundred people attended this event.
The first Solar Garden Open House took place at the Mahone Bay Legion on November 4th. One hundred people attended this event.
July 2021
Federal and provincial funding was announced for all 3 solar garden projects, Mahone Bay, Antigonish and Berwick.
Federal and provincial funding was announced for all 3 solar garden projects, Mahone Bay, Antigonish and Berwick.
This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada.
For more information on the Community Solar Garden contact [email protected]
Community Solar Garden
Created by the Town of Mahone Bay
This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada.
For more information on the Community Solar Garden contact [email protected]
Community Solar Garden
Created by the Town of Mahone Bay