FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 8, 2025

Statement from Matt MacFarlane on Government’s pause of the solar rebate program

Charlottetown, PE – On Friday, government hit pause on the Solar Electric Rebate Program – a program that’s been popular, effective, and essential as we face rising energy costs and demands.

At a time when we’re being told that we can’t keep up with electricity demand, I find it hard to understand why a program that helps Islanders generate their own clean energy would be paused. Especially one that reduces demand on the grid, lowers household bills, and contributes to our climate targets. It makes no sense. We’ve seen this government spend far more money on far less worthy projects.

This government has a track record of underestimating the demand for energy programs. We saw this last year when they ran out of money for the heat pump program. But when that happened, they topped the program up through a special warrant. No pause. No delay. No barrier to Islanders who needed support.

So why is the solar program being treated differently?

Why are Islanders being penalized for the government’s poor planning this time around? And who exactly benefits from slowing down personal electricity generation? Is the idea of thousands of Islanders becoming less dependent on Maritime Electric making someone uncomfortable?

I am calling on the government to immediately resume the solar rebate program and provide additional funding to meet the current demand through to the end of the year. Islanders are clearly interested in affordable, reliable, and clean energy options, and this program delivers on all three.

The government talks a big game on energy security. It’s time they backed that up with action that puts Islanders, not corporate interests, first.

Matt MacFarlane
Leader of the Green Party of PEI

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For media inquiries, please contact:
Michelle Patterson
Director of Policy and Research
Office of the Third Party
Tel: (902) 218-0258
Email: mxpatterson@assembly.pe.ca