A Closer Look at the Cost and Accessibility of Renewable Energy in New Brunswick

In a recent episode of The Carr Brothers Show, solar consultant Rudi Fowler broke down the economics of solar energy in New Brunswick, highlighting how rising electricity rates, federal loan programs, and a growing focus on energy literacy are driving more homeowners to explore solar power.

Fowler, founder of East Coast Sun and a longtime advocate for off-grid living, pointed to finances as the biggest catalyst for solar adoption in the province. “The thing that's driving solar right now in our province is an interest-free loan from the federal government,” he said. “It's a $40,000 interest-free loan over 10 years.”

He was referring to the Canada Greener Homes Loan program, which offers homeowners up to $40,000 for eligible retrofits following an energy audit. Fowler emphasized the value of these audits—not just for securing funding, but for helping homeowners prioritize upgrades like insulation and heat pumps.

With NB Power’s residential electricity rates rising 13.9% between 2022 and 2025, Fowler said more people are weighing long-term energy costs. “Every month, NB Power sends out an ad that promotes solar, essentially,” he said. “There’s really only a certain number of things you can do to offset that power bill, short of living in the dark.”

Fowler acknowledged the frustration some residents feel toward the utility provider but encouraged a more data-driven approach to understanding consumption. “There’s a ton of hate out there for NB Power,” he admitted. “But if I can show you an energy monitor—this third-party thing with no affiliation to the government—it’ll show you exactly where your dollars are going.”

He also touched on smart meters, which are being rolled out across the province and will likely pave the way for time-of-use billing. “Smart meters are going to allow NB Power to charge based on when you’re using energy,” Fowler said. “They’ll know when we’re consuming that high-end energy.”

While financial practicality is the main motivator for most, Fowler admitted his journey to off-grid living was also emotional. “I want to be independent. Maybe it’s an ego thing,” he laughed. “But it was going to cost $150,000 just to bring in power, so a variety of reasons. I’d say 98% is dollar-driven.”

Fowler also shared a different kind of passion project: the 1,000 Mile Challenge, a charitable snowmobile ride he co-founded.“We use the money to send kids to camp who wouldn’t normally get to go due to finances,” he said. “It was an excellent year.”