Today, solar and environmental advocates are calling for a new community solar program in Connecticut that will expand solar access, energy choices and consumer savings for families, municipalities, and businesses statewide. The demand follows today’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) technical hearing where attendees reviewed the state’s current Shared Clean Energy Facilities pilot program. The pilot has stalled several times over the last two years, most recently following DEEP’s decision to scrap all the proposals they have received and issue a new request for projects. DEEP heard from many advocates and developers at the hearing who are frustrated with this latest delay and skeptical about the long-term success of the pilot.
“For years, Connecticut has missed out on the opportunity to bring solar energy choices to all consumers and more clean energy jobs to the state,” said Sean Garren, Northeast Regional Director for Vote Solar. “Connecticut’s lackluster community solar program hasn’t unlocked the benefits of solar access for a single resident to date due to poor design and a lack of ambition at the scale needed, brought about by the electric utilities’ intervention. We’re calling on the legislature to catch up to the rest of New England – and the nation – with a smart, well-structured community solar program designed to serve consumers statewide.”
The current pilot program was meant to expand solar access to Connecticut energy customers who can’t put solar on their own roof, but it contained flaws that have prevented any development to date. As set out in the legislation, the program has several poor design elements and a goal too small to draw significant private sector interest.
“Shared solar programs have been sweeping the nation for the last decade, but Connecticut has been left in the shade – losing out on healthier air, investment dollars, and green jobs that would accompany a full-scale, statewide shared solar program,” said Claire Coleman, Climate and Energy Attorney for Connecticut Fund for the Environment. “DEEP’s decision to start over with the already overly-restrictive shared solar pilot puts Connecticut further in the dark. Our climate and economy cannot wait any longer. Connecticut’s leaders must move quickly to ramp up in-state renewables through a full-scale shared solar program if Connecticut is going to have any chance of meeting its obligations under the Global Warming Solutions Act to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
News item from Vote Solar