Prepared Saturday, October 10, 2026 (revised the same day). This is a plain-language summary for homeowners, not legal, electrical or financial advice. Please confirm anything important with NB Power, Technical Inspection Services, and a licensed electrical contractor.
About your location: you're near Miramichi, NB, but we don't have your exact town or address yet ⚠️. Local details below (permit office, solar output) use Miramichi. If you're outside the area the Greater Miramichi Service Commission covers, those parts need checking again.
Flags used in this briefing:
The claim: "If our NB Power net-metering application is in before the end of October 2026, we're grandfathered for 10 years at 1:1 credit."
Verdict: partly right. The part about submitting is wrong, and the whole thing is still only a proposal.
| Part of the claim | What the official sources say |
|---|---|
| "Before end of October 2026" | ✅ The proposed cutoff is October 31, 2026, which is a Saturday. |
| "Application is in" (submitted) | ❌ Wrong. Under NB Power's proposal, the application must be approved on or before Oct 31, 2026. Submitting it isn't enough. |
| Anything else required? | ✅ Yes. The finished system must also pass a Technical Inspection Services (TIS) electrical inspection by October 31, 2027. |
| "Grandfathered 10 years" | ✅ Proposed, but it's a fixed window: April 1, 2027 to March 31, 2037. It doesn't run 10 years from your install date. |
| "1:1 credit" | ✅ Grandfathered customers keep today's terms: credits at the retail rate, kWh for kWh. Leftover credits are still zeroed every March 31. |
| Is it decided? | ⚠️ No. This is NB Power's application to the Energy and Utilities Board (Matter EL-002-2026). The Board can approve, change or reject it. The Board's website lists the hearing for Oct 19–30, 2026, so a decision before Oct 31 is very unlikely. |
| Does it follow the house if we sell? | ✅ No. A sale ends the agreement. The new owner doesn't get grandfathering. |
What would change for people approved on or after Nov 1, 2026 (if the Board approves the plan as filed):
Wording conflict ⚠️: NB Power's slides and FAQ say "approved by Oct 31." The Board's public notice says the new rate applies to customers "applying on or after November 1." Treat approval by Oct 31 as the safe target, and ask NB Power in writing which wording governs.
Official sources:
What this means in practice:
Sources: NB Power Application Package (https://www.nbpower.com/media/1492371/net-metering-application-package_june2023.pdf), FAQ (https://www.nbpower.ca/en/products-services/net-metering/faqs/), Interconnection Specifications (https://www.nbpower.com/en/products-services/net-metering/interconnection-specifications/).
A. Line up a licensed electrical contractor now.
B. Pick the actual equipment.
C. Gather the required attachments ✅
D. Submit, then watch your email.
E. After approval (this can happen after Oct 31, but the system must pass inspection by Oct 31, 2027):
Fees ✅ (before HST)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Net-metering application (residential) | No fee listed today. ⚠️ Fees are proposed only for large systems and virtual net metering. |
| Meter change | $76.44 |
| Wiring permit | Likely $195 (⚠️ your contractor confirms the category) |
| Special inspection, if needed | $300/hr during business hours, $400/hr after hours (https://www.gnb.ca/en/topic/laws-safety/licensing-inspections/technical-inspections/electrical-inspections.html) |
| Building permit | ⚠️ GMSC fee schedule. In the City of Miramichi, building and development permits are charged separately. |
Who signs what
| Document | Who signs |
|---|---|
| Application and T&Cs | You, as the account holder(s). Both of you if it's a joint account. |
| Wiring permit | The licensed contractor |
| Building permit | You or the contractor |
| Inspection approval | The TIS inspector |
| Question | Answer | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Is there a minimum system size? | ✅ None stated. NB Power lists only a maximum of 100 kW nameplate. | Eligibility page: https://www.nbpower.com/en/products-services/net-metering/eligibility-requirements/ |
| Must we install the maximum from day one? | ✅ No. Any size up to 100 kW is eligible. | Same |
| Can we start small and add panels later? | ✅ Yes, up to the inverter's rating. The T&Cs say approval "extends to future increases in generating capacity up to but not exceeding the rating of the inverter(s) proposed." Any added capacity still needs TIS approval. Going beyond the inverter rating means re-applying. | Application package T&Cs, clauses 17–18 and 20–22, plus the declaration |
| How does adding panels later interact with grandfathering? | ⚠️ Not addressed in NB Power's proposal. Adding panels within the approved inverter rating appears to be covered by your existing approval. A new application (bigger inverter, or a new or replacement inverter) filed after Nov 1 could fall under the new rules. Ask NB Power in writing. | Proposal slides; T&Cs |
| Practical tip | If you might expand, put the inverter you'll eventually want on the application now and start with fewer panels. ⚠️ The inverter rating still has to fit your panel's 125% limit (Section 2). | Our suggestion, based on the T&Cs |
| Is size capped by how much electricity we use each year? | ✅ No cap tied to usage in the eligibility rules or T&Cs we reviewed. But NB Power doesn't pay for surplus power: credits are zeroed every March 31, so it advises sizing to your usage. | FAQ |
| Capped by service size? | ⚠️ No NB Power rule found. In practice, the 125% panel rule and your service size limit the inverter. NB Power may also look at its local transformer (not verified). | CEC 64-112 (Ontario bulletin above) |
| Must the system export power? | ✅ No. The program is designed to "offset your consumption." Exporting is only what happens when you produce more than you use. A self-consumption-heavy system (for example, with a battery soaking up midday solar) is fine. | Eligibility page; FAQ |
| Must it be grid-tied to qualify? | ✅ Net metering is by definition grid-connected, on the customer side of the meter, on an account with active load. ⚠️ A fully off-grid system wouldn't be in the program. Any grid-tied system "integral" to your home must be approved by NB Power whether it exports or not. | T&C clause 6; FAQ |
| Who can own it? | ✅ Under NB Regulation 2015-60, s.22(2), a resident individual (or another qualifying local owner) must own it. Leased systems don't qualify under the standard T&Cs. | https://laws.gnb.ca/en/document/cr/2015-60 |
Yes. This is common, provided it's done with certified "islanding" equipment. That's a device that disconnects your house from the grid the moment the power fails, then lets your batteries (and solar) run the house as a small island.
What NB Power requires ✅
| System | What does the automatic switching | Canadian certification found | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| EG4 GridBOSS + EG4 hybrid inverter(s) | GridBOSS "microgrid interconnection device" (up to 200 A pass-through; generator port; smart load ports) | ✅ CSA C22.2 No. 29 and No. 107.1 (specific models) | ⚠️ Not service-entrance rated in Canada: a separate main disconnect goes between the meter and GridBOSS. Spec sheet: https://eg4electronics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/EG4%C2%AE-Grid-BOSS-Spec-Sheet.pdf |
| Sol-Ark 18K hybrid | Built-in transfer with 200 A grid pass-through; GEN port with automatic generator start | ✅ CSA C22.2 No. 107 listed on datasheet | Datasheet: https://sol-ark.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/18KDatasheet_PS-00036_Rev_7_15July2026.pdf |
| Tesla Powerwall 3 | Backup Gateway 2 or Gateway 3 | ✅ Powerwall 3: CSA C22.2 No. 107.1, CSA C22.3 No. 9. Gateway 3: CSA C22.2 No. 29/205/107.1. Backup Gateway 2: CSA C22.2 No. 0.19/205 | ✅ Tesla: "Backup Switch is not certified for installation in Canada." Use a Gateway. Supports whole-home or partial-home backup. Certifications: https://energylibrary.tesla.com/docs/Public/Directory/en-us/GUID-43FAC585-DEF9-41A8-9646-9861560606B5.html · Design notes: https://energylibrary.tesla.com/docs/Public/EnergyStorage/Powerwall/3/SystemDesign/en-us/GUID-3E19662A-E501-47DB-81AE-E9EC19735B8B.html |
| Enphase IQ Battery 5P | IQ System Controller 3/3G (the "3G" supports a generator) | ✅ CSA C22.2 No. 107.1 | ✅ Enphase: "not suitable for use as service equipment in Canada," so it also needs a separate main disconnect. Datasheet: https://enphase.com/en-ca/download/iq-system-controller-3-data-sheet |
| FranklinWH aPower 2 | aGate X (backup port, generator port, smart circuits) | ✅ aGate: CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 107.1, No. 29, No. 0.19. aPower 2: CSA C22.2 No. 107.1 | Maker says both are available in Canada. https://www.franklinwh.com/document/ca_agate-1_3_1-datasheet-sku-agt-r1v3-us |
⚠️ For any system: check the actual product label for the Canadian mark, check that the inverter's AC rating fits your panel (Section 2), and ask the installer whether the Canadian model or version differs from the US one.
Wattages are from NB Power's generator table. Hours per day are made-up assumptions.
| Load | Running W | Starting W | Hours/day (assumed) | kWh/day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Well pump ½ HP (240 V) | 900 | 2,700 | 1 | 0.9 |
| Fridge | 600 (range 350–800) | up to 2,400 | 2.5 (cycling) | 1.5 |
| Chest freezer | 500 (range 300–700) | up to 2,100 | 2 (cycling) | 1.0 |
| Furnace blower (oil/gas) | 450 | 1,350 | 8 (winter) | 3.6 |
| Lights, internet, TV, chargers | 300 | – | 5 | 1.5 |
| Sump pump ⅓ HP | 800 | 2,400 | 0.5 | 0.4 |
| Essentials subtotal | ≈ 8.9 kWh/day | |||
| Optional: ductless heat pump 12k BTU | 1,200 | 3,600 | 10 (cold day) | 12.0 |
| With heat pump | ≈ 20.9 kWh/day |
What the example tells you:
Size the system to your usage ✅
How much will 5 kW produce near Miramichi? ✅
Rough savings ⚠️
Orientation and shading
Rebates and loans (as of Oct 10, 2026) ✅
DIY vs installer
Get at least 3 quotes
The big one: apply online.
| Resource | Details | Can it speed things up? |
|---|---|---|
| NB Power, Miramichi office | ✅ 115 Walsh Avenue, Miramichi, NB E1N 3W4 (https://www.nbpower.com/en/contact-us/offices/) | ⚠️ No walk-in customer service or net-metering review confirmed there. Net-metering seems to be handled centrally. Call 1-800-663-6272 (Mon–Thu 8:30–5, Fri 8–4:30) or email NetMeteringProgram@nbpower.com. |
| NB Power work order (needed for the wiring permit) | ✅ 1-800-663-6272 | Yes. Request it as soon as you have approval, or ask if you can request it earlier. |
| GMSC Planning Services (building/development permit) | ✅ 1773 Water St., 2nd floor, Miramichi · 506-778-5359 · info@gmsc.ca · CloudPermit online | Yes, run it in parallel. It isn't needed for NB Power's approval, but your electrician needs the permit or waiver before the wiring permit. Ask whether roof-mounted solar needs a building permit or just a waiver. |
| Service New Brunswick, Miramichi | ✅ 360 Pleasant St., Miramichi · 1-888-762-8600 | Limited. SNB Miramichi accepts some TIS paperwork from contractors (https://www.snb.ca/e/1000/1000-7/e/docs/Service_and_Payment_Options.pdf). Wiring permits go through NB Power. |
| TIS (electrical inspection) | ✅ 1-888-659-3222 · TISFTN@gnb.ca (Mon–Fri 8:15–4:30) | Your contractor books the inspection by permit number. ⚠️ No Miramichi-specific inspector contact found. |
| Check a contractor's licence | ✅ TIS list of licensed electrical contractors: https://www3.gnb.ca/0015/electrical.htm (updated Oct 10, 2026) | Yes. Check the licence before you hire. |
Local contractors to call (⚠️ examples only, not endorsements; licence status from the TIS list on Oct 10, 2026):
Email NetMeteringProgram@nbpower.com and NBPowerRateDesign@nbpower.com.