Connecticut Clean Energy Fund Spurs Momentum of Home Owners Choosing to Harness Solar Energy
ROCKY HILL, Conn., February 21, 2007 – The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) and Portland home owners Andy Bauer and Joanna Schnurman today hosted a gathering at their residence to celebrate the installation of the state’s 100th residential solar photovoltaic (PV) system – enabled 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% or more of the family’s electricity needs while reducing the family’s monthly electric bill.
This installation raises the total installed capacity of residential solar PV systems in Connecticut, enabled with financial assistance from CCEF, to 417 kilowatts. The installed systems provide electricity whose production is free of mercury, nuclear waste and harmful greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide. The environmental benefit is equivalent to avoided emissions from 7,440 miles not driven each year.
CCEF offers support to home owners 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% 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. What’s more, the system was installed by Connecticut workers and manufactured in New England, so we’ve made an investment in American jobs. And that feels good.”
CCEF’s Solar PV Rebate Program has been highly popular, with more and more interest in the program expressed by home owners throughout the state. Increased awareness about this resource, combined with home owners’ desire to find a means of stabilizing their own energy costs and helping the environment, have contributed to the growth in demand for the CCEF rebates. Presently, the program boasts another 95 approved rebates for residential systems to be installed.
CCEF President Lise Dondy commented, “We are seeing impressive momentum in home owner 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.” Further commenting on the impact of the program, Dondy stated, “All of this activity has helped to jump start the local solar industry.”
Paul Israel, president of Sunlight Solar Energy of Milford, the company that installed this solar PV system, stated, “Sunlight Solar is proud to be a part of a growing solar industry in the state. Because of the Solar PV Rebate Program, our company has been able to create 9 jobs and sustain our small business here in Connecticut. We look forward to continuing to serve Connecticut residents and institutions.”
For more information regarding the Solar PV Rebate Program, visit www.ctcleanenergy.com/solar.
About the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF)
CCEF was created by the Connecticut General Assembly and is administered by Connecticut Innovations, a quasi-public organization. CCEF promotes the development and commercialization of clean energy technologies; the creation of clean energy supply; and the demand for electricity from clean, renewable sources in Connecticut in order to strengthen Connecticut’s economy, protect community health, improve the environment, and promote a secure energy supply for the state. CCEF’s funding comes from a surcharge on electric ratepayers’ utility bills. For more information on CCEF, please visit www.ctcleanenergy.com.
About Connecticut Innovations, Inc.
Connecticut Innovations (CI) is a quasi-public organization dedicated to driving a vibrant, entrepreneurial, technology-based economy in Connecticut. CI stimulates high-tech growth by investing in: early-stage Connecticut technology companies; university/industry research collaborations; technology transfer; and, clean energy initiatives through the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund. CI also fosters collaboration among government, business, non-profit and academic organizations to advance technology growth and promotes public policies consistent with CI’s mission. For more information on CI, please visit www.ctinnovations.com.