The Connecticut Green Bank is making it easier for municipalities to access renewable energy and achieve energy savings at their buildings through the Solar Municipal Assistance Program (MAP).
Solar MAP simplifies the process so towns and cities can realize the cost-saving benefits of going solar with fewer challenges and roadblocks. Partnering with CSW Energy, which was chosen through a competitive process, the Green Bank is currently providing technical support to over 20 municipalities to develop solar photovoltaic projects on municipal buildings such as town halls, emergency services buildings, schools and more.
Connecticut Green Bank will provide financing for the solar systems through a power purchase agreement (PPA).
Since 2014, the Green Bank Solar PPA has allowed municipalities to install solar on municipal buildings with no upfront installation costs, no new debt to incur, and no operations and maintenance costs. Through the PPA, the municipality purchases the electricity generated by the solar array and locks in a low electricity cost so the cash flow is positive in year one.
The Solar MAP enhances the Green Bank Solar PPA by offering analysis of a municipality’s portfolio of buildings and identifying the best opportunities for solar. The service includes a review of municipal building energy demand, developing system designs, negotiating the terms of a contract with a solar installer and securing financing through the Green Bank Solar PPA. For municipalities that have considered adding solar in the past but needed more guidance to navigate the process, Solar MAP is an efficient solution.
Green Bank is wrapping up introductory meetings across the state and looking forward to discovering the solar potential in each community.
“While everyone in the community benefits from the services provided by public buildings, state and municipal properties have a significant environmental footprint,” says Bryan Garcia, president and CEO of Connecticut Green Bank.
“When government buildings take advantage of solar energy, they take the first step towards creating a cleaner, greener future for their communities while also reducing the burden of energy costs. The Green Bank Solar PPA unlocks the potential for solar to bring our communities together and make them more resilient,” he adds.
The Town of Coventry is one municipality that has seen the benefits of the Green Bank Solar PPA for several years. In total, Coventry has installed 582.5 kW of solar PV across six rooftops and two carports using the Green Bank Solar PPA.
The Solar MAP can also help municipalities earn points through Sustainable CT, a program designed to make an impact on sustainability in communities across the state. Sustainable CT is helping the Green Bank to educate towns and cities about Solar MAP.
For more information on the program or to have someone contact you about participation, please click here.
