Solarize Newtown Campaign Expects Success

With a deadline set for February 11, members of the campaign to bring solar power to Newtown say they have reached the fourth of five pricing tiers and are expecting success in the final phase of the experiment to recruit residents to sign up for solar panels in their home.

"It seems people are very excited about the program,” said Solarize Newtown outreach manager Erin O’Sullivan. Since September, the group has been making pitches to convince Newtown residents to sign up for solar energy as part of a statewide partnership between solar energy providers Astrum Solar and CEFIA (the Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority.)

The more residents who sign up for the program — up to 100 — result in lower prices across the board for participants. Federal and state incentives for signing are set to end Feb. 11, a move campaigners say encourages residents to sign up quickly.

"Every family that elects to install a solar electric system in their home helps to diversify the energy mix for the town, the state and the country,” said First Selectman Pat Llodra, who has championed the program and spoke at its initial pitch session in September. "The more we balance our sources of energy, the more we create a sustainable environment for ourselves, for our children and for all those who will come after. "I am confident we will reach Tier 5 pricing, the lowest pricing available for our residents."

Increasing energy costs from CL&P are one motivating factor for Newtown homeowners, O’Sullivan said.

"It’s making solar a lot more appealing,” she said. "We’re seeing a lot more people consider it."

Almost 200 people have asked for solar home inquiries so far, O’Sullivan says. Those who do receive an initial site visit in which Astrum Solar workers examine their house and roof and offer an initial price quote. Advocates say solar power can add value to homes and save tens of thousands of dollars in energy costs. About 40 families in Newtown already use solar power, according to Llodra.

Astrum Solar pledged to donate $25,000 worth of solar panels to a Newtown municipal building, likely the upcoming Sandy Hook Elementary School, if the town reaches 100 customers.

The final Solarize Newtown workshop is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21 at the Sandy Hook Firehouse.