Here comes the sun: Halifax non-profit unveils new solar tracking system
A new solar tracking system was launched on Brunswick Street last month during a community supper.
Growth and development director Veronica Gutierrez says Hope Blooms has always had solar power in its greenhouse, and this new project is just new way to use even more renewable energy.
'We were in a conference talking about the other great greenhouses and consultants came in and were like, 'what about the solar trackers?' Like we knew there's none in Nova Scotia and we decided to go for it. The Halifax Investment Fund helped us support it and the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund and then we went for it,' she told CTV Morning Live's Crystal Garrett.
Dartmouth-based Greenfoot Energy Solutions also helped with the project.
'So what happened basically was I was at an Efficiency Nova Scotia event, met with Don Hunter from s2e Technologies, he was doing some facilitations on this project with FBM Architecture here in Halifax, and that's how we connected him with our solar team to look at this project and work on this beautiful project together,' said business development representative Hayley MacDonald.
The solar tracking system features snow, wind and sun sensors, which follows the sun as it rises and falls.
'It'll rotate 360 degrees and then it will also tilt up to 90 degrees up and down. It has safety mechanisms built in so that nothing takes off in the wind and that too much weight doesn't fall on it in the wintertime with snow,' said solar coordinator Josh Martell.
The system features a 10 kilowatt inverter.
Hope Bloom solar
Hope Blooms' new solar tracking system.
'Basically, what will happen, is now that this rotates with the sun, it's always going to be producing right around the maximum amount,' Martell said.
Gutierrez added all of the power will go towards Hope Blooms' social enterprises.
'All of them, all of the proceeds from them go to scholarships for kids, for the food gardens and for the betterment of the community in general,' she said.
'But aside from that I feel like it's offering opportunities to anyone in the community to use our commercial kitchen and sell their own products in different farmers markets, or in our own farmers market and to bring innovation to our community that has been historically marginalized and left out, and for the kids to grow up in a beautiful space and to see that they're worth it and they can dream big and have awesome things in their community – I think that's important.'
Gutierrez said people can support Hope Blooms by donating on their website, buying their products and by visiting their building.
For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
‘It's devastating': Spinrite in Listowel ends production on Friday
Yarn production at Spinrite in Listowel will end on Friday, bringing to close 112 years of yarn production in Listowel. (Source: Perth County) Deb Podhorny and Ana Davidson are heading into some of their final shifts at Spinrite in Listowel. The co-workers have more than 75 years combined working at the legacy yarn maker. 'It's devastating. I have known nothing but this place since I was 17 years old. It's my life,' said an emotional Podhorny, who worked at Spinrite for 49 years and six weeks. 072425 - Spinrite - Listowel - factory - closing Yarn production at Spinrite in Listowel ends on Friday, following a plant closure notice in May. 140 workers will lose their jobs. June 24, 2025. (Scott Miller/CTV News London) The production line at Spinrite will run for the last time on Friday, after the company announced the closure of their Listowel manufacturing plant in May. Spinrite opened in 1952 in Listowel, growing to be one of the largest makers of yarn in North America. 'Before that, it started in 1913 with Maitland Spinning Mills. So, it's a legacy business here in this area for 112 years. So, it's so sad to see it go,' said Melissa Verkley, a former Spinrite employee. Verkley, who appeared in a promotional video for Spinrite just a few years ago, was laid off in January. She'll now be joined by 140 other production line workers, many of whom are generational Spinrite employees. 072425 - Spinrite - Listowel - factory - closing Ana Davidson and Deb Podhorny have more than 75 years combined experience working at Spinrite in Listowel. That comes to an end on Friday, as the yarn production line closes. (Scott Miller/CTV News London) 'Spinrite has fed a lot of families. Both my mom and my sister worked here as well,' said Ana Davidson, who has more than 25 years on the job at Spinrite. 'We're all crying a lot. It's very emotional. Like Ana said, we're a family. We spent more time with the people inside there than you actually do with the people you live with in your house,' said Podhorny. A handful of Spinrite employees will be staying on for the next couple of weeks to tie up loose ends in production, said Davidson. But essentially, major production ends on Friday. 072425 - Spinrite - Listowel - factory - closing Yarn production at Spinrite in Listowel ends on Friday, following a plant closure notice in May. 140 workers will lose their jobs. June 24, 2025. (Scott Miller/CTV News London) Spinrite's retail location will close too, but the Listowel distribution centre will remain open keeping a few people employed, but a far cry from Spinrite's peak employment in Listowel of more than 300. 'It was comforting. I knew my job, and I knew it well. And I'm going to miss that. Now, I have to start over,' said Davidson. 'A lot of us that were laid off earlier this year are still looking for work. And it's a small town, so there's a few opportunities, but not many,' said Verkley. 'I just thought Spinrite would be here forever and it's not going to be. It's not how I pictured my retirement,' said Podhorny.
Globe and Mail
an hour ago
- Globe and Mail
3 Integrated Energy Stocks to Gain Despite Industry Vulnerability
The crude oil pricing environment is expected to experience significant volatility this year, which will negatively impact the exploration and production activities of integrated energy companies. A deceleration in oil production growth can create challenges, thereby constraining earnings from upstream operations. At the same time, the accelerating shift toward renewable energy is introducing greater uncertainty to the Zacks Oil and Gas Integrated International industry's prospects. This combination of factors suggests a challenging and softened industry environment that is expected to persist through at least the remainder of 2025. Among the companies in the industry that will probably survive the business challenges are Exxon Mobil Corporation XOM, Chevron Corporation CVX and Shell plc SHEL. About the Industry The Zacks Oil and Gas Integrated International industry covers companies primarily involved in upstream, midstream and downstream operations. These companies have upstream businesses in the United States (including prolific shale plays and the deepwater Gulf of Mexico), Asia, South America, Africa, Australia and Europe. Midstream operations of energy companies entail transporting oil, natural gas liquids and refined petroleum products. In downstream businesses, the firms buy raw crude to produce refined petroleum products. The companies' downstream activities involve chemical businesses that manufacture raw materials for making plastics. The integrated players are now gradually focusing on renewables, leading to the energy transition. The firms aim to lower emissions from operations and cut the carbon intensity of the products sold. 3 Trends Shaping the Future of the Industry Macroeconomic Volatility: The integrated energy sector is currently navigating a highly uncertain and challenging macroeconomic environment. Refining, renewable energy and chemical segments are particularly under pressure due to limited visibility into future market dynamics. Escalating trade tensions are compounding this uncertainty, raising concerns over potential economic slowdowns. Meanwhile, oil prices remain volatile, swayed by geopolitical risks and fluctuating OPEC+ production strategies. As a result, major integrated energy players are grappling with profitability challenges. Slowdown in Production Growth to Hurt Upstream Business: There has been a slowdown in oil production growth in the upstream businesses of integrated energy companies in the United States due to shareholder demands for a greater focus on returning capital rather than investing in production expansion. As production growth slows, output decreases, which can lead to reduced revenues. Since upstream operations depend heavily on volume to generate income, any stagnation in production growth has a direct and negative impact on their bottom line. Growing Demand for Renewables is Concerning: Governments, investors and stakeholders are placing growing emphasis on addressing climate change, leading to an increased demand for renewable energy. Consequently, the demand for products reliant on oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids is expected to decline, with solar and wind energy gaining prominence in the energy landscape. The integrated energy firms are adversely impacted by these trends as they are primarily engaged in the production and transportation of fossil fuels, such as oil, and the sale of refined petroleum products. Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Bearish Outlook The Zacks Oil and Gas Integrated International industry is part of the broader Zacks Oil - Energy sector. It carries a Zacks Industry Rank #189, which places it in the bottom 23% of the 245 Zacks industries. The group's Zacks Industry Rank, which is the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates bleak near-term prospects. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1. Before we present a few stocks that you may want to consider, let us take a look at the industry's recent stock market performance and valuation picture. Industry Lags S&P 500 & Sector The Zacks Oil and Gas Integrated International industry has underperformed the broader Zacks Oil - Energy sector and the Zacks S&P 500 composite over the past year. The industry has plunged 5.4% over this period compared with the S&P 500's growth of 17.3% and the broader sector's decline of 2.6%. One-Year Price Performance Industry's Current Valuation Since oil and gas companies are debt-laden, it makes sense to value them based on the Enterprise Value/Earnings before Interest Tax Depreciation and Amortization (EV/EBITDA) ratio. This is because the valuation metric takes not just equity into account but also the level of debt. On the basis of the trailing 12-month EV/EBITDA, the industry is currently trading at 4.27X, lower than the S&P 500's 17.85X. It is also below the sector's trailing 12-month EV/EBITDA of 4.77X. Over the past five years, the industry has traded as high as 6.54X and as low as 2.75X, with a median of 4.11X. Trailing 12-Month Enterprise Value-to EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) Ratio 3 Integrated International Stocks to Watch Chevron: The company completed its $53-billion acquisition of Hess Corporation, thereby strengthening its upstream portfolio and obtaining a 30% interest in the highly valued Stabroek Block offshore Guyana. Chevron gains strategic access to one of the most prolific deepwater discoveries of the past decade, estimated to hold more than 11 billion barrels of recoverable oil. The acquisition also strengthens its position in the U.S. Bakken shale, the Gulf of Mexico and Southeast Asia. It currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). The move comes as a turning point for Chevron as it is facing mounting pressure to replenish its reserves and strengthen free cash flow amid ongoing volatility in the oil markets. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Price and Consensus: CVX ExxonMobil: The company's acquisition of Pioneer Natural Resources expanded its production capabilities in the Permian Basin, one of the most profitable regions in the United States due to its inexpensive production costs. XOM boasts a strong portfolio of upstream assets, focused on oil-rich resources in the Permian Basin and offshore Guyana. Production costs in those assets are low. Therefore, the leading integrated energy major can overcome a collapse in oil and gas prices. Similar to its operations in the Permian, ExxonMobil boasts a robust project pipeline in offshore Guyana resources. It presently carries a Zacks Rank #3. Price and Consensus: XOM Shell: The company's acquisition of Pavilion Energy strengthens its LNG trading capabilities and positions itself for long-term growth in cleaner fuels. Shell's position as a major supplier of LNG should help the company meet the fuel's growing demand and improve its cash flow. Shell, with a Zacks Rank of 3, is targeting a 4-5% annual increase in LNG sales over the next five years and 1% annual production growth. Price and Consensus: SHEL 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops." Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.5% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. See them now >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM): Free Stock Analysis Report Chevron Corporation (CVX): Free Stock Analysis Report
CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
‘Canadians expect us to take the time necessary' to reach a U.S. trade deal: LeBlanc
Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc, speaking to reporters in Washington, D.C., said Canada will only accept a deal when there is one in the best interest of workers and the Canadian economy on the table.
