Join an online information session on Wednesday, July 8th to learn more about this new inspection process.
Click here to RSVPNova Scotia continues to experience unprecedented building growth. Together, with the Department of Labour, Skills, and Immigration we are exploring risk-based electrical inspections to ensure the process is safe, efficient, and adaptable to the province's ongoing growth.
As solar adoption also continues to grow, we want to improve the interconnection experience for contractors and customers. A virtual wiring inspection option for residential solar rough-ins is now available to help streamline the inspection process.
This initiative represents a significant step in modernizing our approach to electrical inspections while maintaining the highest commitment to safety.
We have created this process with the province’s Chief Electrical Inspector, electrical contractors who are highly experienced in solar installations, and our own team of wiring inspectors.
Here’s a look at the steps in the virtual inspection process. Please see our reference materials for complete details.
Electrical contractors or anyone with questions about wiring permits or the inspection process contact us through our Wiring Permit Contact Centre toll-free at 1-800-464-1520 from 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
As solar adoption continues to grow, we want to improve the interconnection experience for contractors and customers. A virtual wiring inspection option for residential solar rough-ins is now an option to help streamline the inspection process.
We defined the process in collaboration with Labour, Skills & Immigration, industry partners, and included electrical contractors in the pilots. As this process rolls out, we will incorporate contractor feedback, learn from real world use, and refine as needed.
A virtual inspection is a new option that is available to you. If you prefer an onsite residential solar rough-in inspection, we will absolutely accommodate your request.
We have created a training resource that outlines how to submit inspection photos along with the criteria for photos. This document was created with contractors and inspectors to ensure consistency in photo quality and requirements.
We have worked closely with electrical inspectors and contractors to ensure this type of installation can be done safely. To support a safe and consistent process, we have created a resource that outlines requirements for all aspects of this installation. This process has been fully tested through our pilot, which includes hundreds of safe installations.
Our training resource outlines exactly what is required to be submitted for the virtual inspection process. The final inspection is also completed onsite and in person. At that time, we will review the photos provided to confirm that the site and installation are what was submitted.
We have several authentication methods including asking for the address or permit number to be written on the junction box cover for the photo submission. We will also ask for a photo of the home from the street with the civic number in it. This helps confirm the proper address.
No. All inspection fees are based on install value. We know the current fee structure has been in place for a long time and does not reflect inspection time requirements for newer work types like solar installations. Through our current discussion on modernizing the inspections process, we are starting to explore opportunities to better align fees with the current needs of the construction sector. This review will take some time, and we’ll need to follow the regulatory process, but we feel this is an important step to take.
No, not at this time. The virtual inspection process only applies to residential rough-ins.
We are exploring other inspection types that could adopt a virtual inspection process. The goal is to always ensure the process is safe, efficient, and adaptable to the province’s ongoing growth. There is currently a pilot underway for residential underground trench inspections. We will share more as we learn from this pilot.
