Multifamily solar projects in Connecticut benefit from definition update

Thanks to a tweak in the definition of a “residential customer” as it relates to solar energy generation (via Public Act No. 21-48), residents of multifamily properties in Connecticut can now benefit more from solar energy.

Connecticut Green Bank alerted us to this news and noted that it plans to expand its Solar Marketplace Assistance Program (Solar MAP) to help fill the market gap and usher in more projects in this sector. The Green Bank anticipates this being such a boon that it is hiring to bolster its Solar MAP program, specifically in the affordable multifamily market sector.

“In the past, affordable multifamily properties were defined as commercial properties and had to compete for a capped incentive. Now, affordable multifamily properties can access the Residential Tariff, which has no cap and will often provide benefits greater than the commercial incentive while allowing the tenants to share in the savings from the project,” said Mackey Dykes, Vice President of Financing Programs at the Green Bank. “Through Solar MAP, we have helped municipalities and state agencies navigate the complex process of going solar. We anticipate growing interest as we expand the program into the affordable multifamily housing sector and from other Connecticut communities working to achieve their sustainability goals over the next several years.”

Solar MAP is in its fourth year and has supported the Towns of Manchester, Portland, Mansfield, Branford, and multiple State of Connecticut facilities. Future rounds of the program will support the state’s 10 megawatt per year solar goal and growing interest from all sectors in battery storage and EV charging.

The Town of Manchester added systems at seven municipal buildings, including six schools, which are projected to save the Town more than $100,000 annually in energy costs and more than $2.1 million over the term of the power purchase agreements (PPAs).

The Department of Correction will install seven systems across their campuses as part of the program. The 8.3 MW of solar installations will provide 11 million kilowatt hours of solar electricity to their buildings, creating almost $800,000 in annual savings and nearly $20 million over the life of the installations.

— Solar Builder magazine

[source: https://solarbuildermag.com/news/multifamily-solar-projects-in-connecticut-benefit-from-definition-update/]