You went solar in good faith. Now NB Power wants to change the rules

You made a serious financial decision when you went solar. You did the math. You trusted the program. You invested in a system designed to serve your home for 25 to 30 years.

NB Power has now filed an application that would change the rules of that investment — without warning, without consultation, and without giving you or anyone else a meaningful chance to respond.

Why this matters — even if you don't have solar

This is not just a solar industry issue. It is about the right of New Brunswickers to have a real option when it comes to their power bills. Electricity rates are forecast to rise 60% by 2031. Solar was supposed to be one of the tools families could use to get ahead of that. NB Power's proposal would take that tool away — for families, for farmers, for anyone who hasn't already installed.

Nova Scotia made a different choice. They supported net metering, the solar sector grew, jobs were created, and New Brunswickers watched from across the border. We are asking our province to make the same smart call.

What NB Power is proposing

• A new demand charge applied only to solar customers — one that non-solar customers would not pay.

• A reduced export credit, moving away from the one-to-one system you planned around, toward a lower "value of solar" rate to be determined later.

• A grandfathering period of only 10 years — on a system you built to last 25 to 30.

• All of this timed immediately after the provincial solar rebate ends on May 27.

What this means for you right now

If NB Power’s proposal is approved, if your system was installed and inspected before October 31, 2027, you are currently grandfathered under the existing program — but only for 10 years from April 2027. Solar NB Solaire is fighting to extend that. The EUB process that will decide this has just begun.

What Solar NB Solaire is doing about it

We have not sat back. Solar NB Solaire and CanREA, the Canadian Renewable Energy Association, have formed a formal coalition — the Behind the Meter Technologies Coalition — and we have been granted intervener status in the EUB proceeding. That means we have a seat at the table to challenge NB Power's evidence, demand data they haven't disclosed, and make the case for fair treatment of solar customers.

In parallel, we are taking the economic and political case directly to the Premier and ministers. This is a two-track fight — regulatory and political — and we are running both.

What you can do

• Please stay with us. The most important thing is that we build our numbers. The more system owners who join Solar NB Solaire as Supporting Members or join our newsletter list, the stronger our voice at the EUB and in front of government.

• Tell your neighbours. If they are thinking about going solar, they deserve to know what is happening. If they already have a system, they should know we are fighting for them.

• Share your story. If the uncertainty around this proposal has changed your plans — a home sale, a second system, a battery upgrade — we want to hear about it. Real stories matter in regulatory proceedings, so please share yours with us at solarnbsolaire@gmail.com.

We pledge to keep you informed at every step. This is your energy future — and you have every right to fight for it.