Two Solar Milestones Reached This Fall

Thanks in large part to the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund’s Solar PV Rebate Program, Connecticut reached two important clean energy milestones in November: the installation of the program’s 200th residential solar PV system and the attainment of 1 megawatt of installed residential solar in the state.

Pictured from left to right: Lise Dondy, president, CCEF; Gary LeBeau, State Senator, Deputy Majority Leader; Melody Currey, Mayor, Town of East Hartford; Bob Handel, homeowner; Glen Barrisi, Solarbrite; and Tim Bowles, chairman, Connecticut Clean Energy Fund Board.

The 200th system underwritten by CCEF’s solar rebate program was installed at the home of Bob and Lisa Handel of East Hartford. The $27,232 rebate they received from CCEF represented about half the cost of the project.

“Installing this solar array is a way for my family to make an important investment in the planet,” says Bob Handel. “Thanks to the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, I am able to do my one thing to put this resource to work for my family and for the state of Connecticut.”

By doing the right thing for the environment, Bob and Lisa will also save a lot of money: The ground-mounted array of 36, 170-Watt panels generates enough electricity to slash the family’s monthly electric bill significantly. In the system’s first full month of operation, the family’s utility bill declined from its usual $140 to $30. In September and October, their bill was zero. Bob says he expects to have to pay something during the winter months but that as the days get longer, he’ll probably generate more electricity than the family needs, and will sell the excess power to CL&P.

The Handels hosted a gathering at their family farm in November to celebrate the milestone. Lise Dondy, president of CCEF, noted that more and more Connecticut homeowners are embracing clean energy and taking advantage of CCEF’s rebate program to make installing it affordable.

“The Solar PV Rebate Program has been a huge success since it was launched in 2005,” says Dondy. “It was just in March of this year that we dedicated our 100th installation, and now, in no time at all, we’re dedicating our 200th!”

Under the program, homeowners may receive rebates of up to $46,500 through designated installers to help defray the costs of installing solar PV systems.

Bob Handel says he’s been interested in solar power since the 1970s, but found the cost prohibitive until he learned of the CCEF program. From that point on, it was a surprisingly simple process.

“It’s just a matter of taking that first step,” Bob says. “All I did was fill out a form on the installer’s website. The installers handle everything after that.”

In total, financial assistance from CCEF has made possible the installation of 1 megawatt of residential solar capacity in the state. The electricity produced is completely free of pollutants and hazardous byproducts. Because the clean energy reduces consumption of electricity from the grid, the installations reduce air pollution equal to reducing car travel by 10,000 miles a year.

Connecticut Shines in National Solar Tour

A guest column by Judi Friedman, Chair, People’s Action for Clean Energy (PACE)

Connecticut's participation in the National Solar Tour on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007, was a success this year. One of the best-attended tours in the entire Northeast, it offered visitors a chance to witness solar energy and green living ideas in practice.

Organized nationally by the American Solar Energy Society and promoted in our state by Solar Connecticut, this experience involved solar energy installers, designers and site owners. Hundreds of people enjoyed the tour of homes and buildings across Connecticut.

Because of the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund and its wonderful solar rebate program, the tour showcased many examples of solar electric panel installations. There is palatable excitement over the use of clean renewable energy and energy efficiency, which this 12th National Solar Tour revealed, thanks to the generosity of 3,500 building owners in 34 states. Connecticut's position as a northeastern leader is heartening and a fact to be proud of!

Editor’s note: Under the leadership of Judi Friedman, PACE has supported the use of solar energy since 1974. PACE sponsors its own solar tours in Connecticut. More than 15,000 people have participated in the tours, which spotlight passive solar homes, solar domestic hot water systems, photovoltaics and whole-house solar thermal heating systems. Judi Friedman was recently honored with the Lifetime Environmental Service Award from the Connecticut Sierra Club.    

Essex and Ridgefield Go Clean

Essex and Ridgefield recently became the newest Connecticut towns to qualify as Connecticut Clean Energy Communities. They join 21 other Connecticut cities and towns that have already qualified by taking action in support of clean energy.

The Connecticut Clean Energy Communities (CCEC) Program is a partnership of the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund and SmartPower. CCEF provides free solar photovoltaic systems to qualifying communities. To qualify, municipalities must commit to purchasing 20 percent clean energy by 2010; have a threshold number of ratepayers sign up for the CTCleanEnergyOptions program offered to customers of CL&P and UI; and make a clean energy purchase.

Because of its level of commitment, Essex will receive two 1-kilowatt solar photovoltaic systems. Ridgefield’s achievements have earned the town a 2-kilowatt solar PV system. Each town’s system is valued at approximately $20,000.  The communities will install the systems on municipal buildings of their choice.

CCEF Executive Moderates Clean Energy Panel

Bob Wall, director of energy market initiatives for the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, led a “Go Green with Clean Energy” panel discussion at the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities’ 25th Annual Convention & Exposition. The event was held Oct. 24 at the Connecticut Convention Center.

Panelists included representatives from the Connecticut Energy Conservation Management Board; the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; the Middletown, Conn., City Council; and the law firm of Shipman & Goodwin.

Participants learned about resources available to help communities “go green” by implementing clean and efficient energy strategies.

CCEF President Keynotes Healthcare Meeting

Lise Dondy, president of the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, was the keynote speaker at the annual meeting of the Connecticut Healthcare Engineering Society, which was held on Oct. 26 in New Haven.

A central feature of the event was the Hospital Energy Group’s introduction of an enhanced energy procurement program that can provide member hospitals with clean energy at substantial cost savings.

Dondy praised the group’s cooperative energy program, noting that it is achieving significant results for the state’s hospitals and benefiting the community at large. She also outlined a number of CCEF initiatives of interest to members of the group, including CCEF’s On-Site Renewable Distributed Generation Program, which provides financial incentives for hospitals to install renewable energy generation.

CCEF has funded several projects generating clean power at Connecticut hospitals, and additional projects are under consideration.

Staff Spotlight - Beth Byron

Beth Byron, CCEF project associate, administers initiatives aimed at educating the next generation of innovators and consumers about the importance of choosing clean energy. Since joining the fund’s staff in August, she has devoted the bulk of her time to the Learning for Clean Energy Innovation Program. This innovative program prepares teachers in school systems from 20% by 2010 towns to educate their students about clean energy. Right now, the curriculum focuses on solar photovoltaic energy, aligning with the state’s 9th grade science frameworks. Beth oversaw her first workshop for teachers on Dec. 1 and found the experience, and the work leading up to it, fascinating.

“It has been a great experience talking with educators, finding out what their needs are, what their students already know and how CCEF can help them educate children about clean energy,” Beth says.

Beth is also representing CCEF in collaborating with the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund to develop the $2 million Smart Energy Gallery planned for the Connecticut Science Center and in working with the Connecticut Science Center Collaborative and Clean Air - Cool Planet on a plan for teaching science center visitors about the role of clean energy technologies—solar, wind and fuel cells—in addressing climate change.

Formerly the education director for the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters, Beth holds a master’s degree in plant pathology from England’s University of Hertfordshire and a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Wisconsin.

Staff Spotlight - Bill Colonis

As project associate, Bill manages the day-to-day activities of CCEF’s Solar PV Rebate Program, which offers rebates to Connecticut residents, nonprofits and governmental organizations that install small solar photovoltaic systems. He joined the CCEF staff in July after working as an environmental consultant for seven years, two of them as head of his own firm.

The offer to join the CCEF staff came at an opportune time for Bill. “I’d been interested in getting involved in the renewable energy field for some time,” Bill says. “When the Clean Energy Fund position was offered to me, I felt that this was the right time for me to take that step.”

A Connecticut native who lived for 10 years in New York, Bill holds a master’s degree in environmental management from the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology and education from Merrimack College. He’s long been interested in environmental matters and has incorporated many energy conservation measures into his home. He hopes to install a residential solar PV system of his own eventually.

Bill says that the fund’s programs are “very impressive and people are very excited about them.” He notes that, while the Solar PV Rebate Program dedicated its 200th system just this past November, the program is growing rapidly. “We’re on our way to our 300th system already,” he points out.

His coworkers are among the features he enjoys most about his job. “The people here are great,” Bill says.

Event Calendar

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Message from the Chairman

In the last legislative session, state lawmakers created a new Connecticut Clean Energy Fund board of directors. This new board replaces both the CCEF Advisory Committee and the Clean Energy Investment Committee of the Connecticut Innovations board. The legislature’s purpose in elevating CCEF’s volunteer leadership team to the board level was to enhance both the board’s autonomy and accountability. The new structure gives us direct control over decisions affecting the direction of the fund and the development and implementation of programs. I am honored to be chairing this talented and forward-thinking board as we take the fund to the next phase in its evolution.

One of our first priorities is to work with CCEF President Lise Dondy and other staff to develop an updated strategic plan. We are holding a series of public hearings to gather input from stakeholders, and we expect to submit our plan to the Department of Public Utility Control early in 2008.

Many exciting initiatives are on the horizon for the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund. In light of the development of a new generation of wind turbines, we plan to explore the potential for wind energy in Connecticut. We have discussed creating dedicated renewable energy programs focused on agriculture and affordable housing, and have endorsed the creation of a solar photovoltaic residential loan program to help low and moderate income residents access the benefits of clean energy. Finally, I would like to see the fund increase its partnership with its sister fund, the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund, on programs such as geothermal energy and green buildings.

These are exciting times for the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund. Thanks to the leadership of management and staff of CCEF, the fund has continued to accomplish great things throughout a period of transition and growth. Now we are ready to take the fund to the next level and provide even greater economic and environmental benefits to the people of Connecticut by taking advantage of the new technological advances in the development and deployment of clean energy.

Timothy Bowles
Chairman
Connecticut Clean Energy Fund Board

Small Wind RFP Coming Soon

Do small wind turbines hold promise for generating clean energy in Connecticut? That’s the question CCEF aims to answer through its Small Wind request for proposal due for release in mid-December. When it’s available, the RFP will be posted on CCEF’s website.

The primary purpose of the RFP is to identify a qualified contractor to conduct independent testing of four commercially available small wind turbine systems. The testing and performance monitoring will be done over a one-year period at up to two selected sites in the state.

The CCEF initiative parallels a similar one recently launched by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. NREL plans to test eight small wind turbines for performance and reliability at their Colorado facility. CCEF will do similar testing, but focus on turbines best suited to Connecticut conditions.

Conference Helps Businesses Control Energy Costs

More than 300 people, including representatives from the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, gathered on Oct. 17 in Cromwell for the 8th annual “What’s the Deal?” conference and exposition, sponsored by the Connecticut Power and Energy Society and the Connecticut Business and Industry Association.

The event focused on technologies and services available to help businesses reduce energy costs. It featured a morning keynote address by Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and two breakout sessions: one on Energy Projects in Connecticut and the other on the State of Energy in Connecticut. Jan van Dokkum, president of UTC Power Corp., was the luncheon speaker.

Several of the “success stories” featured in the first breakout were of organizations with clean energy projects funded by CCEF, including St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center and Pepperidge Farm. CCEF is a member of the society and was an exhibitor at the conference.

CCEF Participates in EPA Technology Forum

Keith Frame, associate director, new technologies, for the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, was among those invited to speak during a recent technology forum sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The Nov. 8, two-hour teleconference for the Clean Energy Environment State Partnership was on the subject of State Programs for Emerging Climate Protection Technologies. More than 70 invited participants from around the country took part, plus additional interested parties.

The teleconference grew out of an Oct. 11-12 EPA conference in Baltimore, at which Frame had made a presentation about Connecticut’s activities in the area.

Frame explained that Connecticut, while a small state, has taken a disproportionately large role in promoting emerging renewable energy technologies. He enumerated for the group several forward-thinking energy initiatives under way in the state. The response from listeners, Frame says, was positive.

“The other states acknowledged that Connecticut is a model for technology commercialization.” says Frame.