Portland school's new solar array projected to save town $10,000 year in energy costs

The Middletown Press | Staff
April 14, 2023

With the recent installation of a 67 KW solar photovoltaic system at Brownstone Intermediate School, the town of Portland is projected to save more than $10,000 a year in energy costs, and about $206,000 over the term of the power purchase agreement.

This project, installed at the 15 Main St. school by Greenskies Clean Focus, was part of the Connecticut Green Bank’s Solar Municipal Assistance Program, according to a press release.

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, Greenskies said in the statement.

"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 the news release.

Through Solar MAP, the Green Bank provides technical support to municipalities to develop solar PV projects on municipal buildings, such as town halls, emergency services buildings, schools and more. It also provides financing for the solar systems through a PPA, which allows the municipality to access solar with no upfront installation costs, no new debt to incur, and no operations and maintenance costs, the statement said.

For information, visit ctgreenbank.com/solarmap.