The Plug-In Solar Playbook

How we unlock plug-in solar across Canada

These are the regulatory levers, jurisdiction by jurisdiction, that permit certified plug-in solar without legislation. Pick a campaign to see the specific actors, mechanisms, and precedents.

Photo: Dpalma01 / CC BY-SA 4.0

2
Pathways
2
Don't need legislation
1
With precedent

New Brunswick, what unlocks it

Here's how New Brunswick can unlock plug-in solar, every pathway below names a specific actor with the authority to act and the legal basis they would use.

Robert Gauvin — Minister of Public Safety
Mechanism: Amendment to electrical safety regulations under New Brunswick’s safety statutes

Create a plug-in generation class in New Brunswick’s electrical safety regulations for certified systems under 1200W. Reduced permit and electrician requirements when certified equipment is used for cord-and-outlet connection only.

Legal basis: Provincial authority over the electrical code and permit regime sits under the Public Safety portfolio. The Minister can amend regulations to create a cord-connected plug-in solar class where certified equipment is used.
Legislature required? No
René Legacy — Deputy Premier, Minister of Finance and Treasury Board, Minister responsible for Energy
Mechanism: Ministerial directive to NB Power under the Electricity Act

Direct NB Power to create a plug-in generation category for certified systems under 1200W, exempt from net metering application and meter upgrade. On-site use only, anti-islanding required.

Legal basis: NB Power is a Crown corporation owned by the Government of New Brunswick. The Minister responsible for Energy has authority to direct policy including interconnection categories. A simplified plug-in class for certified systems under 1200W can be established by directive, without legislative amendment.
Legislature required? No
Precedent: NB Power has been directed through ministerial instructions on rate structure, EV charging infrastructure, and demand-side management. The mechanism is established.

Help unlock plug-in solar

Send an email to the New Brunswick decision-makers listed above. It goes from your own address.
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