Westport officials today announced a partnership with Windham Solar LLC to buy solar credits from a panel installation located in North Franklin and Lebanon, Connecticut.
“With zero upfront cost to the town to install the solar panels, the electricity generated will be roughly equivalent to the electricity demands for the Town Hall, Fire Headquarters, Police Headquarters, and 50 percent of the sewer treatment plant, or 29 percent of the annual electricity demand for Westport’s municipal buildings,” the announcement said.
Officials estimate the solar facility will produce about 1,627 megawatt hours of clean, renewable energy this year. The Virtual Net Metering (VNM) credits for electricity production will be sold to Westport at a discounted rate, the announcement said.
According to David Mann, chairman of the Westport Green Task Force, the town will benefit from the solar energy generated, even though the town’s buildings are not physically connected to the solar facility.
“This new solar installation is just the latest example of town-sponsored programs and choices by Westporters that are moving the town closer to the goal of being Net Zero by 2050,” the announcement said. “Since 2005, 158 Westporters households have chosen to install solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on their roofs.”
Around town, PV systems can be found on the Longshore golf maintenance building, the Saugatuck train station roof, the Sherwood Island transfer station roof, two fire stations and a small system on a Staples High School roof, roughly equivalent to powering another 100 households.
Officials say that while there is significant potential for additional solar panels, heavy tree cover and older buildings make for poor candidates. As a result, off-site renewable energy systems seem the alternative route to Westport becoming a “net zero” community, officials said.
“Reaching Net Zero by 2050 is only going to be possible through the combined efforts of the town, local businesses, and our residents,” First Selectman Jim Marpe said.
“So, I’m so pleased with the team effort that made this Windham Solar project possible. And I’m sure our residents will appreciate the tax dollar savings it’s going to generate for many years to come.”
