Mayor: Solar Farm Coming To Old Landfill

EAST HAVEN, CT — A solar energy business is opening a solar farm on the former landfill at the East Haven Industrial Park.

Greenskies, a solar energy developer based in Middletown, is building a 1.3 MW DC solar project at the old landfill. The solar farm, which will be comprised of about 4,000 solar panels on a 20-acre capped landfill site, will generate just under 1 megawatt of power per year. The project’s clean energy production will offset a significant amount of carbon, equal to the amount sequestered by 950 acres of forest a year, or the equivalent of eliminating nearly 2 million miles of driving for a year, according to data from the EPA.

Mayor Joseph Carfora said the project is a shining example of a public-private partnership as he thanked Greenskies and former East Haven mayor "Joe Maturo and his staff, public works and economic development for all of their efforts."

Carfora said, "...this project is a prime example of how the public and private sectors should join forces to have a positive impact.”

In addition to the environmental benefits, the town will receive an annual lease for the life of the project, which will also generate $240,000 in additional revenue over that time. Greenskies has signed a 21-year lease agreement. The project was awarded ZRECs from the state, and Greenskies has also applied for Virtual Net Metering approval, which will allow the town to benefit with reduced energy costs going forward.

“We are so pleased to have worked with the Town of East Haven over the past three years and
have appreciated the professionalism and support from all levels of town government.” said Ron Wedeking, senior vice president of business development for Greenskies. “This is a great example of how the public and private sectors can work together to achieve a win-win solution that benefits the environment, the Town and our business.”

State Rep. Joe Zullo called the project "worthwhile."

"I commend Mayor Carfora for seeing this worthwhile project through to completion and I am proud of the positive impact it will have on both the environment and on the Town's bottom line."

A ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the groundbreaking for Greenskies Renewable Energy LLC’s new solar farm at 240 Commerce St. will be held at 2 p.m. Dec. 18. The ceremony is open to residents, town officials, employees and local business owners.

The project is expected to be completed in spring 2020.

For information, call the Economic Development Director Sal Brancati at 203-468-3205