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Our Path to
Net-Zero

New Dawn's Pine Tree Park Community Solar Garden was built with two ambitious goals: to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and to generate enough renewable electricity to meet the property's annual energy needs.

In its first year of operation, the project reduced net greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 92 percent, falling from an estimated 510 tonnes annually to just 42 tonnes. This reduction reflects both energy upgrades to the property's buildings and the renewable electricity generated by the solar garden.

As New Dawn continues working toward Pine Tree Park's net-zero goals, the project is providing valuable experience that will help guide future investments in renewable energy and more sustainable buildings across the organization.

How We're Making It Happen

Building a more sustainable future for our communities means rethinking how we use energy, care for our buildings, and invest in the places we share.

Reduce

Making our buildings more energy efficient to reduce consumption and lower operating costs

Transition

Moving away from fossil fuels through cleaner heating systems and more sustainable technologies

Generate

Producing renewable electricity to reduce our environmental impact and support our communities for years to come

At Pine Tree Park, we're putting these ideas into practice, learning what works and building the knowledge and experience to bring us closer to a net-zero New Dawn. Learn more below

One Year In: Seeing the Impact

Clean energy production and major reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are bringing New Dawn closer to its net-zero goals while helping reduce operating costs.

The Pine Tree Park Community Solar Garden has reduced the property's net greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 92 percent compared to pre-retrofit estimates, according to its first-year operations report.

The project, which combines renewable energy generation with energy-efficiency upgrades, is moving closer to its goals of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and producing enough renewable electricity to meet Pine Tree Park's annual energy needs.

In 2025, the solar garden generated more than 781,000 kilowatt-hours of renewable electricity and approximately $104,000 in revenue to offset New Dawn's energy costs.

While further improvements are needed to achieve both net-zero goals, Pine Tree Park is demonstrating how investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy can reduce our environmental impact while strengthening the long-term sustainability of the housing and services our communities rely on.

Read the full report

Year One Operations Report

Pine Tree Park

Rethinking Energy,
Reimagining What's Possible

Pine Tree Park Estates is an 88-acre property in Whitney Pier, originally developed in the 1950s as a military radar station during the Cold War. Following the station's closure in 1992, the property was acquired by New Dawn and has since become a neighbourhood where people live, access care and connect with their community.

Today, the property is home to 28 residential units, the Pine Tree Park Care Home, and several community organizations, including the Elizabeth Fry Society and Schooner Curling Club.

Pine Tree Park's history as a military base created an opportunity to make significant energy improvements across an entire neighbourhood. With many of its homes sharing similar designs and oil-based heating systems, New Dawn could take a coordinated approach to replacing fossil fuel heating, improving insulation and reducing energy consumption across the community.

The project was first envisioned in 2018, when New Dawn and the Verschuren Centre began exploring how Pine Tree Park could become a model for community-scale renewable energy. What followed was a six-year effort involving energy assessments, planning, construction and collaboration with contractors and government regulators.

Pine Tree Park became the first project launched under Nova Scotia's Community Solar Program, the first subscription-based program of its kind in Canada.

The Verschuren Centre
Advancing Clean Technology

Located in Sydney, Nova Scotia, the Verschuren Centre Inc. is an independent clean technology development and innovation facility helping businesses and communities develop practical solutions to environmental challenges.

Through applied research, technical expertise and industry partnerships, the Centre develops and advances sustainable technologies in areas including renewable energy, advanced materials and bioprocessing. Its work helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve resource efficiency and support the transition to a low-carbon economy.

The Centre's partnership with New Dawn on the Pine Tree Park Community Solar Garden demonstrates how innovative technologies can be put to work locally, creating more sustainable infrastructure while supporting community and economic development.

Learn More

Safe Spaces Policy

Everyone deserves a
safe inclusive environment

Our Safe Spaces policy ensures a respectful, supportive atmosphere for everyone. We pledge to listen, learn, and adapt to your needs, because your well-being is our priority. Together, we will create a safer, compassionate community for all.

Safe Spaces Policy

Newsroom

Get in touch

New Dawn Enterprises
37 Nepean St, Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 6A7
newdawn@newdawn.ca
902-539-9560

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Eymu’ti’k Unama’ki

Eymu’ti’k Unama’ki, newte’jk l’uiknek te’sikl Mi’kmawe’l maqamikall mna’q iknmuetumittl. Ula maqamikew wiaqi-wikasik Wantaqo’tie’l aqq I’lamatultimkewe’l Ankukamkewe’l Mi’kmaq aqq Eleke’wuti kisa’matultisnik 1726ek.

We are in Unama’ki, one of the seven traditional and unceded ancestral territories of the people of Mi’kma’ki. This territory is covered by the Treaties of Peace and Friendship which the Mi’kmaq first signed with the British Crown in 1726.

Ketu’-keknuite’tmek aqq kepmite’tmek ula tela’matultimkip wjit maqamikew ta’n etekl mtmo’taqne’l. Ula tett, ula maqamikek, etl-lukutiek l’tunen aqq apoqntmnen apoqnmasimk aqq weliknamk Unama’ki.

We wish to recognize and honour this understanding of the lands on which we reside. It is from here, on these lands, that we work to create and support a culture of self-reliance and vibrancy.