Connecticut PV Finalists Announced

The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) has unveiled the selection of its Photovoltaic Program Request for Proposal (RFP) finalists.

Rocky Hill, Connecticut – April 7, 2003 [SolarAccess.com] The CCEF received 19 proposals comprising 24 projects under its Solar PV Program. These projects represented total investments of US$3.6 million and requested US$2.3 million in funding support. Eleven of the 19 proposals were selected for participation in the RFP, which determined the winners. The finalists, consisting of the Town of Fairfield, Vestar, City of Stamford, Granby Education Foundation and Select Energy Services, will coordinate the development of PV projects that carry investments in excess of US$1 million in total costs and will result in additional PV capacity of approximately 100 kW. “This is our first Solar PV Program and it has produced projects that clearly establish innovative applications for solar PV,” said Charles Moret, managing director, investments, Connecticut Clean Energy Fund. “These solar PV projects will demonstrate that this Renewable Energy technology can effectively be adopted right here in Connecticut and assist with relieving electric transmission congestion.” In addition, the CCEF selected the projects that provide high-value; support a highly visible application; reduce barriers to installation; demonstrate innovative approaches to design, application or financing; and promote solar PV as a clean, practical and environmentally friendly technology. The projects also presented effective distributed power-generation, which solves the problem of limited infrastructure, and a capability to reduce the power grid load during the high peak summer months in Connecticut. Following is a summary of the projects selected: – The Fairfield Water Pollution Control & Compost Facility will integrate PV into a new compost processing facility at the existing water pollution control facility and will complement other distributed power-generation. – A Hamden traffic light will become a PV powered traffic light. The light is at an important intersection, and the PV system will provide a reliable source of energy and backup power. – The Stamford Katrina Mygatt Recycling Center is a heavily used community facility that will utilize PV to power energy efficient lighting. – The Hamden Government Center project will use PV to charge the center’s backup battery, provide emergency lighting as well as provide power to the electric grid. A kiosk will be available to the public providing information on the PV system. – The Whitneyville Pumping Station in Hamden will have PV generate power during critical peak summer periods. This PV installation will be available for viewing by the Eli Whitney Museum’s visitors, and it will contrast extremely well with an existing 19th century hydro generator. – The Salmon Brook Ecology Center’s PV system will integrate with a self-sustaining aquaculture/hydroponics green facility. – CT Transit in Hartford will incorporate energy efficiency measures with PV in a bus maintenance facility to help improve the economics of photovoltaic projects. The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, administered by Connecticut Innovations, invests in enterprises and other initiatives that promote and develop sustainable markets for energy from renewables and fuel cells that will benefit the ratepayers of Connecticut.