Town Moves Ahead With Solar Initiative For Schools, Homeowners

BRANFORD, CT —After asking for an analysis of all town and school buildings in an effort to achieve energy savings through energy efficient projects including the possible installation of solar panels, First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove announced Tuesday that the town is moving forward with "new solar initiatives" for Branford schools, and for homeowners, he said in a news release.

Using the Connecticut Green Bank’s Solar Marketplace Assistance Program, the review found that Mary T. Murphy and Mary R. Tisko Schools were the "best locations" for solar panels.

The town's Clean Energy Committee members, town staff and Branford Board of Education staffers worked with the CT Green Bank Solar MAP to negotiate a purchase agreement to "achieve significant energy savings," Cosgrove said.

An independent energy consulting firm, ECG, was retained to review and analyze the contract and agreements. Cosgrove said ECG "estimated that these projects will result in a total combined cost savings of more than $461,000 to the town over the next 20 years."

Branford is also participating in the Solar for All initiative to offer solar and energy efficiency programs to low and moderate income households, he said.

Solar for All is a nationally recognized program, financed through a public-private partnership between PosiGen, and the Connecticut Green Bank. The program offers homeowners efficiency upgrades and a no-money-down, no-credit required solar lease to reduce the burden of high energy costs.

Cosgrove, who recently spoke on the town’s initiatives to increase energy efficiency and renewable energy, such as solar, at a state-wide conference held by the Sierra Club, People’s Action for Clean Energy, and the CTEnergyNetwork, said he "continues to investigate clean energy initiatives and programs to reduce the town’s carbon footprint while bringing savings to local taxpayers."

Cosgrove was also invited to a Green Bank educational conference to speak along with Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin and Coventry Town Manager John Elsesser. President Joe Biden’s White House National Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy also spoke at the conference, Cosgrove said.