A CT town wants to run on 100% clean energy by 2050. Here’s what it just did to achieve it
Hartford Courant | Stephen Underwood
April 6, 2026
The town of West Hartford is continuing to invest in renewable energy after installing solar panels on the town’s Department of Public Works building on Brixton Street and installing six food scrap drop-off bins around town, as part of a decades-long commitment for the town to run completely on clean energy by 2050.
The panels were developed and constructed by Greenskies Clean Focus, which will own and operate the system over the long term, according to the town. The installation provides on-site renewable electricity for the facility under a 20-year agreement through 2046.
“Communities like West Hartford are demonstrating how municipal infrastructure can play an important role in advancing practical clean energy solutions,” said Ryan Linares, head of real estate at Greenskies Clean Focus. “We’re proud to support the Town’s long-term energy strategy and help deliver reliable renewable power that benefits both taxpayers and the environment.”
The solar installation is part of the town’s commitment to expanding renewable energy across municipal infrastructure and achieving its goal of 100% clean energy by 2050. The project offsets a portion of the building’s electricity use and will help lock in a lower energy rate to reduce municipal operating costs. The town’s comprehensive energy plan, adopted in 2021, is one of the most robust in the state for renewable energy, according to the town.
The new system replaces a solar array originally installed at the facility in 2012, which was removed in 2022 to accommodate the building’s roof replacement, according to the town.
“The Town of West Hartford is committed to a clean energy future and actively pursues opportunities for both on-site and off-site solar, as well as purchasing renewable energy credits (RECs) to offset carbon emissions from traditional grid-based consumption,” said Catherine Diviney, energy specialist for West Hartford and West Hartford Public Schools.
The town also recently installed six new food-scrap bins, helping reduce trash and turn food scraps into energy, the town said. West Hartford’s food scraps are sent to Quantum Biopower in Southington, where they are converted into electricity and compost. Over the last year, 1,169 residents have downloaded the required free MetroKey app to unlock the bins and are participating in the program, the town said.
The new food-scrap bin locations are:
- Vanderbilt Park – 36 Frederick Road
- Fernridge Park – 567 Fern St.
- Kennedy Park – 160 Oakwood Ave
- Cornerstone Aquatics Center – 55 Buena Vista Road
- Norfeldt Field and Eisenhower Park each now have a second bin
Other locations include the town hall and the public works recycling center at 25 Brixton St., according to the town.