The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF), a ratepayer fund administered by Connecticut Innovations Inc. (CI), has announced that the Connecticut Clean Energy Investment Committee has approved a grant of $763,736 to help defray just over half of the total project cost of installing a 172.6-kilowatt DC solar photovoltaic (PV) system on the rooftop of Plainville High School in Plainville, Conn.
The solar PV system will be installed in conjunction with the installation of a new roof on the school, as part of a major renovation of the building. The system will ultimately supply an estimated 10.7% of the school's electricity needs, and will be installed by Solar Integrated Technologies Inc., based in California.
‘We're pleased to see this example of new building-integrated PV technology introduced in Connecticut,’ says Lise Dondy, president of CCEF. ‘It will help broaden the selection of PV system options available to prospective customers as well as be a real example of alternative non-fossil fuel energy systems to the students.’
Robert Lee, Plainville town manager, adds, ‘Plainville is delighted to strengthen its commitment to clean energy – beyond the town's earlier commitment to the 20% by 2010 campaign – by implementing plans to install a solar PV system at our high school. This step is a 'win-win' for the citizens of Plainville and the environment. CCEF's grant, in concert with a grant from the Connecticut Department of Education through a Bureau of Facilities construction award, has made this project financially viable.’
‘The Plainville High School project marks our first solar PV installation in Connecticut,’ states R. Randall MacEwen, president and CEO of Solar Integrated Technologies. ‘We have strategically focused on the educational sector in Connecticut, where our value proposition is attractive, and look forward to assisting with additional Connecticut installations in the future.’
