Portland Installs Solar Panels At School
The town has added the 67-kilowatt system at Brownstone Intermediate School.
Patch | Chris Rhatigan
April 6, 2023
PORTLAND, CT — Portland has installed a solar photovoltaic system at Brownstone Intermediate School. The 67-kilowatt system is projected to save the town more than $10,000 annually in energy costs and more than $206,000 over the term of the power purchase agreement, according to a statement.
The project was installed by Greenskies Clean Focus and was part of the Connecticut Green Bank’s Solar Municipal Assistance Program, which is intended to make the process of switching to solar easier for towns. Portland is one of the first towns to complete the program, which is now in its fourth year assisting dozens of towns with solar support.
“We are thrilled to have this new solar system installed and active in Portland. Being able to help the environment while at the same time saving on our energy costs is an enormous win-win for everyone.” First Selectman Ryan Curley said in a statement.
Through the Solar Municipal Assistance Program, the Green Bank provides technical support to municipalities to develop solar photovoltaic projects on municipal buildings, such as town halls, emergency services buildings, schools, and more.
The Green Bank also provides financing for the solar systems through a power purchasing agreement, which allows the municipality to access solar with no upfront installation costs, no new debt to incur, and no operations and maintenance costs, according to the statement.
“As one of our first group of Solar MAP towns, Portland has been an excellent partner as the Green Bank team supported the project from inception through completion. We are excited to see this solar installation at Brownstone energized and begin saving the school money,” Vice President of Financing Programs at the Green Bank Mackey Dykes said in a statement.
For more information on the program or to have someone contact you about participation, please visit ctgreenbank.com/solarmap/