100th Residential Solar PV System Installed

State Representative Jim O'Rourke, serving the 32nd District and member of the Connecticut General Assembly's Environment Committee, Susan Bransfield, Portland's First Selectwoman, officials from the CCEF, including CCEF's president Lise Dondy, joined Portland homeowners Andy Bauer and Joanna Schnurman at their residence to celebrate the installation of the state's 100th residential solar photovoltaic (PV) system - made possible with assistance from CCEF. The 2.4-kilowatt solar PV system is installed on the rooftop of their home and is expected to supply 30 percent or more of the family's electricity needs while reducing the family's monthly electric bill.

The installation marks the 100th solar PV system installed under the newly expanded Solar PV Rebate Program raising the total installed capacity of residential solar PV systems in Connecticut, enabled with financial assistance from CCEF, to 417 kilowatts. CCEF offers support to homeowners wishing to install solar PV systems through the Solar PV Rebate Program. This program offers rebates of up to $46,500, through designated participating installers, to help defray the cost of installing solar PV systems. Bauer and Schnurman enjoyed a rebate of approximately $10,800, provided by CCEF, which offset approximately 50 percent of the cost of installing the solar PV system.

"I'd wanted a solar array for decades, but financially that was wishful thinking," said Andy Bauer, an environmentally conscious resident of Portland and a member of that town's Clean Energy Task Force. "The CCEF rebate program made buying a solar array doable." Commenting on the benefits of his system, Bauer continued, "We're already seeing savings on our electric bills. And with the CCEF Rebate Program, we've got a system that doesn't pollute or use foreign fuels."

CCEF president Lise Dondy commented, "We are seeing impressive momentum in homeowner interest in harnessing energy from the sun and celebrate the 100th residential solar installation supported by CCEF here today." Dondy continued, "To assist an even larger pool of residents and encourage residents to install more substantial systems, we have recently expanded our Solar PV Rebate Program - and now apply our rebates to systems of up to 10 kilowatts." Commenting further on the impact of the program, Dondy stated, "All of this activity has helped to jump-start the local solar industry." For more information on CCEF's Solar PV Rebate Program, please visit our website at www.ctcleanenergy.com/solar.

A Champion for Clean Energy

Andy Bauer is a busy husband, father, homeowner and middle-school teacher. In his spare time, he just happens to be changing the world.

The Portland, Conn., resident is committed to creating a more sustainable world by acting locally to promote the use of clean energy.

The chairman of the Portland Clean Energy Task Force, Andy spearheaded efforts to encourage his town and neighbors to choose clean energy. He was the driving force behind Portland's 2004 decision to join SmartPower's 20% by 2010 campaign. By joining the campaign, the town committed to making clean energy 20 percent of its total energy purchase by 2010. Andy initiated the campaign in Portland and convinced people of its value one person at a time.

"I'm a grass-roots guy," Andy says. "I sat down with the people who make decisions and said, 'This is what I think our town should do, this is why it's important, this is how the town will benefit.'"

Andy also led efforts to persuade Portland businesses and residents to sign up for the CTCleanEnergyOptions program. Again, he worked at the grass-roots level. For example, at the Portland Fair, Andy and a local Boy Scout troop set up a booth and talked to passing fairgoers about the program. As a result of this and other efforts, more than 185 Portland households-about 6 percent of the town's total-have now signed up for the CTCleanEnergyOptions program.

By joining 20% by 2010 and achieving CTCleanEnergyOptions milestones, Portland has become a Connecticut Clean Energy Community and earned no-cost solar photovoltaic systems from the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF).

With funds from CCEF's Community Innovations Grants Program, Andy produced a video featuring local leaders commenting on the importance of choosing clean energy.

Andy works in many ways to help create a healthier world. He serves as legislative director for People's Action for Clean Energy and is a member of the Citizen Planning Group of the Connecticut Climate Coalition.

Andy and his wife, Joanna Schnurman, put their convictions into practice at home, too. They recently had a solar PV system installed, becoming the 100th family to do so with rebates from CCEF's residential solar program.

"Andy is a great example of how one individual can make a huge difference," says CCEF director of energy market initiatives Bob Wall. "He is the Johnny Appleseed of clean energy. Thanks to his good works, solar PV systems are sprouting up across Connecticut."

CCEF's Solar PV Rebate Program Expanded to Include Larger Systems

Due in part to the popularity and success of the Solar PV Rebate Program, the Clean Energy Investment Committee of Connecticut Innovations recently approved several program enhancements that increase the rebates to include PV installations of up to 10 kilowatts. Under the revised program, the maximum rebate available on residential solar installations is $46,500. Details of the program changes can be found at www.ctcleanenergy.com/solar.

This program offers rebates, through designated participating installers, to Connecticut residents, nonprofits and governmental organizations that install small solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. Over the past two years, 192 residential solar installations have been approved, totaling just over 840 kilowatts. One hundred thirty-two of the installations have been completed, and the remaining approved systems are scheduled for construction. During this same period, three small nonprofit and governmental installations were approved, totaling 22 kilowatts.

Recent Projects

Staples Distribution Center

On January 16, the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, Staples and SunEdison hosted a dedication ceremony to unveil the 433- kilowatt DC PV installation, the largest in New England, at Staples’ 300,000-square-foot retail distribution facility in Killingly, CT. The installation was made possible through the collaborative effort of CCEF, which provided a $1.7 million grant for the project, and SunEdison, which financed the remaining costs of the project and designed and installed the system.

Connecticut State Senate President Pro Tempore Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn), second from right, was on hand for the Staples dedication, as well as representatives from CCEF, Staples and SunEdison.







“We are delighted that Staples chose Killingly, Connecticut, as the site of its largest solar installation in New England and pleased that we could work closely with the company to make the installation possible,” said Connecticut State Senate President Pro Tempore Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn), a former chair of the legislature’s Environment Committee.

“The solar power system installed at our Killingly distribution center is part of Staples’ integrated strategy for a 7 percent reduction in the company’s U.S. carbon emissions by 2010 on an absolute basis, starting from a base year of 2001,” said Mark Buckley, vice president of environmental affairs, Staples, Inc. Buckley added, “The solar power system is a win-win proposition for Staples and Connecticut. Through our relationship with solar services provider SunEdison, we’re able to purchase solar energy off our rooftop at a rate below or equal to the cost of electricity off the grid. This reduces our operating costs while freeing up more electricity during peak times for use by local homes and businesses.” Read more about this dedication event here: http://www.ctinnovations.com/news/275.php

BJ’s Wholesale Club - Derby

BJ’s Wholesale Club, with corporate headquarters in Natick, Massachusetts, operates more than 170 stores including one in Derby, Connecticut where they have recently installed an 82.8- kilowatt DC photovoltaic system. In a partnership with Conservation Services Group (CSG) of Westborough, Massachusetts, BJ’s Wholesale Club has installed solar PV systems on 14 of its stores to demonstrate the company’s desire to purchase and promote clean energy for environmental responsibility. These systems are designed, installed and owned by CSG, who sells the solar electricity back to BJ’s. This installation was made possible through a $371,000 grant from the CCEF. A second Connecticut installation of the same size was recently completed at the BJ’s in Willimantic.

“We have been working with BJ’s for almost eight years to develop our innovative business model for installing PV on their roofs," says John Hoffner, Director of Technical Services of CSG. "It is a win-win for both parties – BJ’s provides CSG with a large roof for PV, and they get to purchase the electricity at a reasonable price.”

“At BJ’s Wholesale Club, we believe that a comprehensive energy management plan must support energy efficiency, commodity purchasing strategies and the application of innovative and environmentally beneficial technologies such as renewable energy. Solar power partnerships like this one are an important component of BJ’s overall commitment to reducing energy consumption and preserving the environment for future generations.” Michael Pace, Energy Engineer, BJ’s Wholesale Club.

Live production data from this solar PV installation can be viewed online at http://www.vaeis.com/site/info.php?site=F55E7003B41D0189

Barnard Environmental School

The New Haven Public School System, with financial assistance from CCEF, has installed an 80.7-kilowatt DC photovoltaic system at the Barnard Environmental Magnet School in New Haven which is expected to provide an estimated 16 percent of the building’s annual electricity needs. Through Barnard Environmental Magnet School’s recent renovation and expansion, the school has demonstrated its commitment to the preservation and improvement of the environment by adding three solar arrays on the rooftop of the new cafeteria, gym and west-wing classrooms. Additionally, the solar PV system provides the school an opportunity to design curriculum regarding the solar photovoltaic (PV) system’s design, installation and functionality.

Barnard Environmental Magnet School’s groundbreaking efforts in promoting environmental stewardship have earned it a number of distinctions. It is the site of the largest solar installation at an educational institution in Connecticut; one of the largest solar installations at an educational institution in New England; the first Leadership in Energy and Design (LEED) Silver certified building in the New Haven school district; and the first school in New Haven to incorporate solar PV into its design.

“The solar installation at Barnard Environmental Magnet School is a ‘winner’ for New Haven, serving as both a source of clean energy and a learning tool,” said Lise Dondy, president of CCEF. “We would like to see other schools follow the lead of Barnard by incorporating solar technology and green building standards into their renovation and new construction designs.”

Clean Energy Communities Program Update

Ten Towns Commit to 20% by 2010 Campaign - 25% of All Towns Commit

Since December 2006, ten additional Connecticut towns have committed to purchasing at least 20 percent of their electricity needs from clean renewable sources by the year 2010: Torrington, Salisbury, Southington, Windham, Bloomfield, Cornwall, North Haven, Guilford, Burlington and Ridgefield. This brings the total number of 20% by 2010 towns in Connecticut to 40, or 25 percent of all municipalities in the state. Under the 20% by 2010 clean energy campaign promoted by SmartPower, cities and towns are encouraged to purchase or offset the electricity used in their municipal buildings and facilities with clean energy.

Visit www.ctcleanenergy.com/communities for additional information regarding the 20% by 2010 clean energy campaign and other programs for communities.

Sun, Sun, Sun, Here We Come: Six New Clean Energy Communities

It’s been a “long, cold, lonely winter” but six Connecticut towns are getting ready to welcome the sun in the form of solar energy systems from CCEF. Since last December, Canton, Cheshire, Wethersfield, Norfolk, Westport and Guilford have become the newest Connecticut Clean Energy Communities, raising the number of such communities to 20. The towns earned this designation by first committing to the SmartPower 20% by 2010 campaign and then encouraging specified numbers of local customers to sign up for the CTCleanEnergyOptions program. In most instances, the new towns qualified by enrolling 100 households or small businesses in the Options program. With respect to Norfolk, however, the small town in northwest Connecticut became the first municipality in the state to qualify by having 10% of its households signed up for clean energy (see article in this newsletter ). Finally, a number of existing Clean Energy Communities reached new milestones that earned their respective towns additional kilowatts of solar PV. Overall, CCEF has awarded 88 kilowatts of solar PV systems to the various towns under the Connecticut Clean Energy Communities Program.

Visit www.ctcleanenergy.com/communities for additional information regarding the Connecticut Clean Energy Communities Program, and the CTCleanEnergyOptions program.

CCEF’s Community Innovations Grants Program Assists 11 Additional Communities

In January and February, CCEF presented 11 towns – Chester, Westport, Stamford, Branford, Middlefield, Canton, Hartford, Plainville, Salisbury, Woodbridge and Bloomfield – with Community Innovations grants of $5,000 apiece to help their communities support local clean energy awareness and education projects through micro-grants. Under the Community Innovations Grants Program, the first 40 Connecticut cities and towns to commit to SmartPower’s 20% by 2010 clean energy campaign are offered the block grants by CCEF.

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Message from the President

As I read over the articles for this newsletter, I was struck by the amount of clean energy activity across the state. From the dedication of the largest solar installation in New England at Staples in Killingly to the celebration of the 100th residential solar installation at the Bauer-Schnurman home in Portland; from the Barnard School solar installation in New Haven to BJ’s Wholesale Club's solar systems in Derby and Willimantic; from the six new towns that have become Connecticut Clean Energy Communites to the eleven additional towns that have received CCEF’s Community Innovation Grants - citizens, companies and schools are using their power to make a difference.

When we look at these results plotted on a map of Connecticut, it is clear how CCEF's impact has been felt far and wide…in 75 percent of the communities across the state.

In addition to community-based initiatives designed to create awareness and demand for clean energy, 244 clean energy systems - including fuel cell, solar photovoltaic, biomass and advanced hydro systems - have been installed or are under way. These will provide the energy equivalent of electricity for 70,000 homes. These clean energy systems include: 36 commercial installations (27 solar, 6 fuel cell, 3 biomass), 8 demonstration projects and 200 residential solar photovoltaic systems, 100 of which are installed and 100 which are in process.

The two graphs below show the momentum of our residential and commercial programs since their inception. Along the way we have spurred job growth in Connecticut’s solar industry, encouraged nearly 12,000 residents to sign up for the CTCleanEnergyOptions program, and attracted national and international attention such as the 2006 Green Power Pilot Award from the EPA and U.S. Department of Energy for our Connecticut Clean Energy Communities Program.





The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund is effective in part because of the close relationship with Connecticut Innovations. As administrator of the Fund, CI lends its experience with emerging technologies and the development of new industries. The culture at CI encourages innovative thinking and creative solutions to complex technology and financing matters that are components of renewable energy projects and programs. The Fund relies on the finance and investment expertise available at Connecticut Innovations as well as proven due diligence processes that are put to use for the benefit of all electric ratepayers.

With continued rising energy costs and concerns over transmission congestion in the state, CCEF’s funding of renewable energy installations and our efforts to build a clean energy industry and market in Connecticut are an important part of an overall energy plan. We believe CCEF’s activities are making a difference; working with the citizens of Connecticut toward energy independence, climate change solutions, better health and economic growth.

Lise Dondy
President
Connecticut Clean Energy Fund

Staff Spotlight – Bob Wall

Bob Wall, CCEF’s director of energy market initiatives, joined the organization in January of 2007. Prior to joining CCEF, Bob worked on clean energy marketing and grass roots initiatives in various New England states with nonprofits, SmartPower and Clean Water Action. As director of energy market initiatives, Bob oversees the strategic direction and management of the Fund’s voluntary clean energy market initiatives. Public awareness, monitoring and evaluation of program effectiveness and encouraging voluntary purchases of clean energy are Bob’s main focus. Bob plays a key role in several programs including the Clean Energy Communities Program, Community Innovations Grants Program and SmartPower’s 20% by 2010 campaign.

While discussing his decision to join CCEF, Bob said, “Over the years, I have witnessed the deep impact made by the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund on the quality of life in my hometown of Fairfield and communities throughout the state. Thanks to CCEF’s innovative programs, Connecticut has become a national leader in building a vibrant clean energy market and infrastructure. It is therefore a true honor and challenge to join this talented and dedicated team as we strive to enhance energy, economic and environmental security for all of Connecticut’s citizens and the generations to follow.”

Bob also practiced complex civil litigation for nearly two decades in which he concentrated on environmental and public health issues.  He earned a bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan University and a juris doctor degree from Fordham University School of Law.

Competition for a Good Cause - Bethany vs. Norfolk

They may be miles apart in distance and thousands apart in population, but Bethany and Norfolk are on the same page when it comes to supporting clean energy.

The two Connecticut towns have both become Connecticut Clean Energy Communities by joining SmartPower’s 20% by 2010 campaign and attaining specified thresholds of participation in the CTCleanEnergyOptions program. As a result of becoming Clean Energy Communities, both towns have qualified for free solar photovoltaic systems from the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF).

For the past few months, Bethany and Norfolk have been engaged in a friendly competition to see which would be the first town to have 10 percent of households sign up for CTCleanEnergyOptions. The winning town would receive CCEF’s Leadership Reward: a bonus 4-kilowatt solar PV system.

Bethany, a town of roughly 5,000 residents, jump-started its effort using funds from a CCEF Community Innovations Grant, says Mike Okrent, co-chairman of the town’s Clean Energy Task Force.

“The grant allowed us the flexibility to begin to think about steps we could take to encourage people to sign up for CTCleanEnergyOptions,” Mike says.

The task force bought advertising and compact fluorescent light bulbs to distribute to residents. They set up a table at Bethany Family Day and talked with people about choosing clean energy. They recruited signers at the town transfer station. On Election Day, they talked to waiting voters about clean energy. Those who signed up received eight fluorescent bulbs.

“The great thing was that the cost savings people would achieve by using the bulbs would make up for the slightly higher cost of supporting clean energy,” Mike notes.

These and other efforts have enabled Bethany to sign up about 170 households so far, and Mike expects the number to climb to 200 by the summer.

Meanwhile, in Norfolk, home to about 1,600 people, similar grassroots efforts were under way. Norfolk Clean Energy Task Force Chair Mary Fanette says the group’s only “official” activity was setting up a table in the library where, in late November, a town carol sing is held after the annual tree lighting.

“The real credit goes to the people here in town and to word of mouth,” Mary says. “I would encourage people to sign up and other members of the committee did the same. We’d pick up the phone and call people and ask them to do this to benefit the town. Because of the size of Norfolk, we had an advantage.”

Ultimately, Norfolk was the first to cross the finish line. On Feb. 20, CCEF declared the town the winner of the Leadership Reward. The bonus 4-kilowatt solar energy system means that Norfolk now qualifies for a total of 5 kilowatts of solar PV to be installed at no cost to them on a municipal building.

“Norfolk’s Clean Energy Task Force, with its unprecedented commitment to clean energy, deserves all of the credit for helping our town earn the Leadership Reward,” said Susan M. Dyer, First Selectwoman, Norfolk. “The task force did a fantastic job in getting the word out to our residents and business community who worked together for the good of the town and the environment.”

Although it fell just short in this race, Bethany has already earned 11 kW of solar from CCEF under this program for being the first town to reach 5 percent (tied with Portland) and 7.5 percent. Now attention will shift to the race between old rivals, West Hartford and New Haven, to see which will be the first to reach 750 signup points.

“We applaud every community that is taking steps to embrace clean energy, and we congratulate Norfolk on its achievement,” says CCEF director of energy market initiatives Bob Wall. “Norfolk is really ‘the little town that could,’ and its determination and grass-roots efforts are a model for communities statewide.”

Lise Dondy Presents to the Energy and Technology Committee

The Connecticut Legislature’s Energy and Technology Committee invited Lise Dondy, President of the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, to the State Capitol on January 23 to present an annual update regarding the activities and accomplishments of CCEF. Lise discussed the many ways in which CCEF is driving an energy transformation in Connecticut. Launched in 2000 and administered by Connecticut Innovations, Lise illustrated how the Fund’s programs have reached 75 percent of all Connecticut towns in the form of commercial and institutional renewable energy projects, residential solar PV installations, community grants, educational programs and municipal commitments to purchase clean energy.

Lise also reviewed the status of Project 100, the state’s landmark legislation that requires the state’s electric distribution companies to enter into minimum 10-year contracts for not less than 100 MW of Class I renewable capacity. CCEF is currently reviewing the proposals that were received under Round Two of the process in preparation to forward recommended projects to the electric distribution companies for contract selection.

To view Lise’s presentation, click here.