Funding Increase for Connecticut PV Rebate Program

 

February 10, 2006

This additional funding should support about 130 new installations, approximately 120 residential and 10 small commercial, industrial and institutional installations.

The increase was approved, in part, because of the success of this program over the last 15 months. To date, under the previously approved $1.8 million program budget, approximately 75 residential solar installations have been approved totaling just over 308 kW.

Thirty-five of the installations have been completed and the remaining approved systems are scheduled for construction. During this same period, three small CI&I installations were approved totaling 20 kW with funding of just over $90,000.

"The CCEF is pleased to be able to play a role in addressing long-term energy costs for the average consumer by making it more economically feasible for these consumers to install small solar units on their homes or where they work," said Lise Dondy, CCEF chief operating officer. "The power provided by such systems can help serve as an important hedge against future rate increases."

Given the recent electric rate increase, concern about the dependence on fossil fuel, air emission concerns, and continued program outreach, Connecticut Innovations expects that the demand for small solar PV systems will increase and that the newly approved funding will help satisfy expected demand.