Alternative Resource Energy Authority  |  General Manager  |  aaron.long@municipalenergy.ca

 
Increasing utility-scale clean energy market opportunities for municipalities 

AREA has generated significant wealth for its owner towns over its short existence. Municipalities are a key decarbonization focus group by the Province and the Feds, which creates opportunities for all NS munis to replicate AREA's success. Real options begin to present when munis and supporting market access programs advance beyond net metering to utility scale projects. However, such larger opportunities must fit within the planning strategy of the Provincial electrical grid. This presentation explores associated concepts and barriers, then recommends that munis aggregate ambition in the pursuit of an integrated resource plan administered to achieve decarbonization, economic development and equity, instead of just managing rates and shareholder returns. 

Dalhousie University  |  PhD Candidate  |  ahmed.eldesoky@dal.ca

 
Strategies to Improve Li-ion Battery Lifetime and Their Role in a Sustainable Future 

Li-ion batteries are a vital component in electrified transportation and storage of intermittent renewable energy. In order to meet the increasing demand for Li-ion batteries, it is crucial that we prolong the lifetime of Li-ion batteries so they can last for multiple decades in the field. This talk will discuss the important role of long-lived batteries in a sustainable future, and strategies to understand and mitigate battery failure.

Rayleigh Solar Tech.  |  Director, Business Operations  |  alex.russell@rayleighsolartech.com

 
Climbing Down from the Roof - Solar Technology in New Places  

The solar industry has continued to evolve at lightning speed and is offering new and innovative opportunities. With new technologies we are now able to seamlessly integrate solar generation into the facades of both new and existing buildings. The argument that solar energy options are unattractive or difficult to incorporate into urban settings is no longer valid. We now can transform buildings into miniature green energy generators by replacing traditional glass and cladding with BIPV.  Rayleigh Solar and AzSpecd Solutions will showcase some of these new technologies.

Frankensolar Americas Inc.  |  Product and Solutions Engineer  |  alexander.wolf@frankensolar.ca  
 

In this presentation, we want to deep-dive into different DC to AC ratios and their impact on the system’s energy production, inverter clipping, and impact on hardware cost. We will discuss what happens to the curtailed solar-energy and show limitations of heavy oversizing from a code compliance perspective. We will also go through the setup of a string of solar panels and its built-in diodes, and analyze operation scenarios. Finally, we will show where global MPP tracking algorithms can be used effectively and what scenarios other systems and designs need to be used to address shading conditions.

AzSpecd Solutions Inc.  |  President  |  barry@azspecd.com   
 
Climbing Down from the Roof - Solar Technology in New Places  

The solar industry has continued to evolve at lightning speed and is offering new and innovative opportunities. With new technologies we are now able to seamlessly integrate solar generation into the facades of both new and existing buildings. The argument that solar energy options are unattractive or difficult to incorporate into urban settings is no longer valid. We now can transform buildings into miniature green energy generators by replacing traditional glass and cladding with BIPV.  Rayleigh Solar and AzSpecd Solutions will showcase some of these new technologies.

Canadian Renewable Energy Association  | VP Policy & Government Affairs  | bgiannetta@renewablesassociation.ca

 
Canadian Market Overview - Decarbonizing our grids with wind and solar energy 

As Canada sets out on a transformative journey to reach net-zero GHG emissions by 2050, we need a powerful boost from wind energy, solar energy and energy-storage technologies. To get there, Canada must decarbonize and double its electricity production. Luckily, this country has massive, untapped potential for low-cost wind and solar energy. These resources will be critical for the energy transition. CanREA will present a status update of the deployment of these technologies across Canada with a focus on solar PV. 

Charge Solar  |  Vice President  |  edknaggs@gmail.com  
 

This presentation will discuss solar power generation in Canada, and how the solar industry, including federal and provincial incentives, energy policies, game-changing technological improvements and significant cost reductions are shaping solar and storage growth across the country.
The challenges and future prospect potential of Canada’s solar development, including the benefits of adding storage will be discussed. Adding storage to solar has increasingly become an economic decision not just a “green” decision and this presentation will provide and overview of what this means for Canadians, the industry, the utilities, and the future of solar and storage across Canada.

Nova Scotia Power  |  Manager, Product Development |  ed.cullinan@nspower.ca
 

In February 2022, Nova Scotia Power launched Nova Scotia's first community solar program. Customers across the province can subscribe to solar capacity from the solar garden in Amherst and are paid for the clean energy their subscription puts back on the grid. This session will highlight what we've learned in our first 10 months of operating the program as part of Smart Grid Nova Scotia.

Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors has been supporting the Nunacor Development Corporation in exploring clean energy opportunities for the remote communities of NunatuKavut in Labrador since 2019. Nunacor is the business arm of the NunatuKavut government, with the primary objective of helping cultivate and discover business opportunities in various industries for all of its members. This presentation will showcase the results of a high-level modelling study that assessed where and which renewable energy technologies offer the best alternatives to diesel power generation across five communities. While the study parameters, set in collaboration with NL Hydro, established a high bar for renewables to cross, the results suggest an important role for renewables to play in reducing both greenhouse gas emissions and energy costs in remote northern communities in Canada—including wind, solar, and battery storage. 

City of Summerside  | Director Municipal Services  |  greg.gaudet@city.summerside.pe.ca

 
Summerside's Pathway to Renewable Energy Independance 

Summerside is widely recognized as a leader and early adopter of green technologies. Our unique municipally owned infrastructure, combined with a business environment that encourages innovation, distinguishes us from other communities in Atlantic Canada. A commitment to sustainable development and technologies is a driving force in the policies of the City of Summerside. Our businesses and residents expect it. Sustainability makes both fiscal and environmental sense. It is a pillar of our approach to renewable initiatives and economic development in our community. Learn how the City of Summerside is connecting renewable energy and economic development to further advance its community

Dalhousie University  | Professor  |  jeff.dahn@dal.ca
 

Modern lithium-ion cells can have incredible lifetimes.  I will review recent results from our laboratory showing projections for Li-ion cell lifetime under an approximate solar duty cycle,.  Much of our recent work has focused on improving lifetimes at elevated temperature and I will review those results as well.

PRI Engineering  | Program Manager  
 

Solar generating facilities are becoming more and more economical as a primary energy source and more of them are being built in increasingly colder climates. One of the largest risks associated with these facilities is racking foundation failure particularly since there are a large number of foundation members. The presentation will discuss how contractors and solar developers can mitigate this risk for Northern climates, where high snow loads and large frost uplift load effects are anticipated.  We will discuss the methods currently employed to reduce overall frost uplift effects, the benefits and drawbacks, and what is being done to validate these methods for long-term use. 

Marsh Specialty  | SVP Renewable Energy Industry Leader  |  Jen.Aitchison@marsh.com
 

Discussing the current business case of adding solar or incorporating solar onto your assets and developments. We will look at risks, returns and the impact of the newly announced ITC's on the future business case of solar. 

HCi3  | Program Manager  | jsable@hci3.ca

 
Solar Energy and Equity: Highlighting Community Action    

This panel will highlight three community projects that in different ways are looking to integrate equity into the development of solar energy: Hope Blooms Solar Awnings, Preston Township Community Solar Social Feasibility Study (Clean Foundation), and Solar Gardens for Affordable Housing in HRM (NSCC). These projects are being funded through the Halifax Climate Investment, Innovation and Impact (HCi3) Fund, which looks to accelerate climate change solutions that benefit all communities in Nova Scotia. Through this conversation, panelists will discuss how they are addressing social, technical and infrastructural barriers to solar energy adoption as it intersects with other longstanding socio-economic challenges.    

On January 29, 2019, Halifax Regional Council declared a climate emergency and began the work of creating an updated climate plan. Their ambitious plan, HalifACT–approved unanimously by Halifax Regional Council in June 2020–is a set of 46 actions designed to help the municipality meet net-zero emissions goal by 2050. Critical actions to achieving this goal include decarbonizing buildings and the electricity grid through the increased deployment of solar energy. Learn how the Halifax Regional Municipality plans encourage the adoption of solar and integrate it within their own buildings 

The conversation about agriculture and energy has expanded over the last two decades. As farm expenses continue to increase, farms are looking for ways to improve energy efficiency, reduce energy costs and potential to generate electricity.  This panel will discuss the evolution of agriculture energy policy and where it is headed, overview the programs that support the rapid adoption of clean technology such as solar and demonstrate the farm level benefits of installing solar.   

As more Atlantic Canadians switch to solar to reduce carbon emissions in their home, they’re also seeking cleaner options for mobility. Electric Vehicles (EVs) provide drivers the opportunity to significantly reduce emissions from driving while also saving money. When paired with solar, EVs can also help optimize the use of renewable energy and make the switch to electric mobility even cleaner. As we see the shift to both renewables and low carbon transportation accelerate, the public is asking more about the combination of the two everyday. This panel will bring expertise and lived experience with the electricity grid, solar PV and EVs to answer your questions and provide insight into the future of the growing e-mobility industry. 

Folly River Farms Limited  |  Farm Owner/Operator  |  lauchie_maceachern@hotmail.com
 

The conversation about agriculture and energy has expanded over the last two decades, As farm expenses continue to increase, farms are looking for ways  to improve energy efficiency, reduce energy costs and examine the potential to generate electricity. This panel will discuss the evolution of agriculture energy policy and where it is headed, overview of the programs that support the rapid adoption of clean technology such as solar, and demonstrate farm level benefits of installing solar. 

The conversation about agriculture and energy has expanded over the last two decades. As farm expenses continue to increase, farms are looking for ways to improve energy efficiency, reduce energy costs and potential to generate electricity.  This panel will discuss the evolution of agriculture energy policy and where it is headed, overview the programs that support the rapid adoption of clean technology such as solar and demonstrate the farm level benefits of installing solar.    

Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Climate Change  |  Senior Planning Advisor      | meghan.mcmorris@novascotia.ca

 
Our Path Ahead: Sustainable Development & Renewable Energy in Nova Scotia

An update from the Nova Scotia Departments of Environment and Climate Change, and Natural Resources and Renewables on the path forward, sustainable development and renewables. 

Rayleigh Solar Tech.  |  Optical Engineer  |  michelle.pellerin@rayleighsolartech.com

 
Climbing Down from the Roof - Solar Technology in New Places  

The solar industry has continued to evolve at lightning speed and is offering new and innovative opportunities. With new technologies we are now able to seamlessly integrate solar generation into the facades of both new and existing buildings. The argument that solar energy options are unattractive or difficult to incorporate into urban settings is no longer valid. We now can transform buildings into miniature green energy generators by replacing traditional glass and cladding with BIPV.  Rayleigh Solar and AzSpecd Solutions will showcase some of these new technologies.

SolarShare Co-operative    |  President  |  mike@mikebrigham.ca

 
Developing Community Energy Projects and Living to Tell About It

Developing community energy projects means more that just developing the physical assets. Patient, revolving seed capital is needed, along with experience in undertaking public offerings, marketing, technical expertise, long term asset management and ongoing investor relations. As well, it is critical to ensure that you can reach a business breakeven for your organization before you start your first project. Free handouts will be offered covering project proforma spreadsheets, project technical specs and property lease templates.

City of Summerside  | Director of Economic Development  |  mike@summerside.ca

 
Summerside's Pathway to Renewable Energy Independance 

Summerside is widely recognized as a leader and early adopter of green technologies. Our unique municipally owned infrastructure, combined with a business environment that encourages innovation, distinguishes us from other communities in Atlantic Canada. A commitment to sustainable development and technologies is a driving force in the policies of the City of Summerside. Our businesses and residents expect it. Sustainability makes both fiscal and environmental sense. It is a pillar of our approach to renewable initiatives and economic development in our community. Learn how the City of Summerside is connecting renewable energy and economic development to further advance its community

Natural Forces Solar.  |  President  |  rdouglas@naturalforces.ca
 

Community Solar    This session will explore how community solar fills in the gaps and has the potential to help provide equitable access to renewable energy for all Nova Scotians, can utilize brownfields/rooftops that are unsuitable for other developments and can maximize renewable energy penetration on the distribution network by siting community solar projects at (or near) where the electricity is needed, providing value to all Nova Scotians

The clean energy transition is happening, and electricity is at its front and centre. But solar energy’s future contribution continues to be underestimated.  The Atlantic Canada Solar Summit 2022 is a forum for participants to share their perspectives on how best to calibrate the long-term course being charted for solar energy. In this opening keynote address, Patrick D. Bateman will initiate that discussion, by considering: how far the solar industry has come, and where it is heading; and the key opportunities and challenges that must be navigated to maximize benefit, and minimize risk to all stakeholders during this pivotal time.

Clean Foundation  | Manager - Clean Energy & Equity Initatives  | pgranegger@cleanfoundation.ca

 
Solar Energy and Equity: Highlighting Community Action    

This panel will highlight three community projects that in different ways are looking to integrate equity into the development of solar energy: Hope Blooms Solar Awnings, Preston Township Community Solar Social Feasibility Study (Clean Foundation), and Solar Gardens for Affordable Housing in HRM (NSCC). These projects are being funded through the Halifax Climate Investment, Innovation and Impact (HCi3) Fund, which looks to accelerate climate change solutions that benefit all communities in Nova Scotia. Through this conversation, panelists will discuss how they are addressing social, technical and infrastructural barriers to solar energy adoption as it intersects with other longstanding socio-economic challenges.    

As more Atlantic Canadians switch to solar to reduce carbon emissions in their home, they’re also seeking cleaner options for mobility. Electric Vehicles (EVs) provide drivers the opportunity to significantly reduce emissions from driving while also saving money. When paired with solar, EVs can also help optimize the use of renewable energy and make the switch to electric mobility even cleaner. As we see the shift to both renewables and low carbon transportation accelerate, the public is asking more about the combination of the two everyday. This panel will bring expertise and lived experience with the electricity grid, solar PV and EVs to answer your questions and provide insight into the future of the growing e-mobility industry. 

As more Atlantic Canadians switch to solar to reduce carbon emissions in their home, they’re also seeking cleaner options for mobility. Electric Vehicles (EVs) provide drivers the opportunity to significantly reduce emissions from driving while also saving money. When paired with solar, EVs can also help optimize the use of renewable energy and make the switch to electric mobility even cleaner. As we see the shift to both renewables and low carbon transportation accelerate, the public is asking more about the combination of the two everyday. This panel will bring expertise and lived experience with the electricity grid, solar PV and EVs to answer your questions and provide insight into the future of the growing e-mobility industry. 

Laying the groundwork for future growth is essential for the success of solar businesses in Atlantic Canada.  Lear from experts about some of the growth and financing challenges faced by renewable energy start ups and cooperatives, the opportunity provided by innovative long-term debt solutions and the path forward as we continue to build the industry here.  Mike Brigham (Solar Share), Rob Mabe (CWB Financial) and Sarah Buckle (HCi3) bring decades of financial and innovative funding experience to the table.  The presentation and discussion will shed light on growth opportunities. 

Nova Scotia Power  | Project Manager  |  sergio.sanabria@nspower.ca

The Future of Solar Storage in Canada
The contribution of solar plus storage as a new energy solution to our grid brings new opportunities for power generation, grid reliability and resiliency, but many are still not realized as part of daily life. Successful integration of distributed energy resources and electrical grid will remove limitations of resources like solar and EVs, so that they can be used during an outage, or batteries that can be used for more than just backup power. This integration is creating new partnerships between customers, utilities and local service providers, making solar and storage more accessible and affordable, while simultaneously adding grid benefits and aiding our clean energy transition.

WSP Canada Inc.  |  Electrical Engineer  |  thomas.baltzer@wsp.com   
 

This presentation will provide the audience with a better understanding of industry standard solar PV production modelling techniques for projects in Atlantic Canada. WSP will use actual production data from the Credit Union Place (CUP) solar PV system located in Summerside, PE, and compare with modelled solar PV production using industry standard practices with both publicly and commercially available meteorological data. Current snow models, for example, have only been validated in Western Canada and the USA. Regionally specific model accuracy will impact not only the design but more importantly the potential financial return of the project.

Hope Blooms  |  Manager of Growth and Sustainability | veronica@hopeblooms.ca

 
Solar Energy and Equity: Highlighting Community Action    

This panel will highlight three community projects that in different ways are looking to integrate equity into the development of solar energy: Hope Blooms Solar Awnings, Preston Township Community Solar Social Feasibility Study (Clean Foundation), and Solar Gardens for Affordable Housing in HRM (NSCC). These projects are being funded through the Halifax Climate Investment, Innovation and Impact (HCi3) Fund, which looks to accelerate climate change solutions that benefit all communities in Nova Scotia. Through this conversation, panelists will discuss how they are addressing social, technical and infrastructural barriers to solar energy adoption as it intersects with other longstanding socio-economic challenges.    

Nova Scotia Community College  |  Research Scientist  |  wayne.groszko@nscc.ca  
 

This panel will highlight three community projects that in different ways are looking to integrate equity into the development of solar energy: Hope Blooms Solar Awnings, Preston Township Community Solar Social Feasibility Study (Clean Foundation), and Solar Gardens for Affordable Housing in HRM (NSCC). These projects are being funded through the Halifax Climate Investment, Innovation and Impact (HCi3) Fund, which looks to accelerate climate change solutions that benefit all communities in Nova Scotia. Through this conversation, panelists will discuss how they are addressing social, technical and infrastructural barriers to solar energy adoption as it intersects with other longstanding socio-economic challenges.

Fundy Solar Ltd.  |  Manager  |  fundysolar@gmail.com   
 

Solar power systems have been widely deployed in NS for nearly a decade. With thousands of installations in the field there will be problems. This presentation will educate participants about some of the most common problems, how to diagnose them, and I will also request that others share their experiences in order to make future presentations more useful.

R&G Strategic  |   Chief Strategy Officer  |  sarah@rgstrategic.com

 
Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at R&G Strategic, a women founded and led communications design consulting agency. Sarah’s work and R&G’s mission focuses on helping purpose-led organizations inspire transformative change and using storytelling to engage communities in clean energy, climatech, and environmental and social good. Her work places her at the intersection of branding, technology, ESG and sustainability, and communication design to advocate for a better world.