Mansfield (CT) Goes Solar

[jpak]

http://media.www.dailycampus.com/media/storage/paper340/news/2007/02/07/News/Mansfield.Goes.Solar-2703129.shtml?sourcedomain=www.dailycampus.com&MIIHost=media.collegepublisher.com

Mansfield began working to become an environmental leader among Connecticut municipalities in July 2005 when the Town Council unanimously passed a resolution committing Mansfield to the SmartPower 20% by 2010 Campaign.

The resolution was a result of the town joining The Connecticut Clean Energy Communities Program, which is a partnership between the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund and Hartford-based SmartPower clean energy company, according to the Town of Mansfield's Web site. Communities that sign into the program commit to purchasing 20 percent of the municipality's electrical needs from sources considered "clean," including solar, wind, landfill gas and small, low-impact hydropower sources by the year 2010. Mansfield's commitment plan calls for a segmented approach beginning with a purchase of clean, renewable energy equaling 4 percent of the town's needs. Each subsequent July, the purchase will increase by an additional 4 percent until the town reaches its goal of 20 percent by 2010.

As an added incentive for participating communities, the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund will award free photovoltaic panels, commonly known as solar panels, to participants reaching certain milestones of achievement, according to the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund Web site. Some qualifying achievements include obtaining 100 sign-ups in the community to the CTCleanEnergyOptions program offered through Connecticut Light & Power, having 10 percent of a town's households sign-up for CTCleanEnergyOptions or having the town have use one gigawatt-hour of power through CTCleanEnergyOptions.

Mansfield qualified for its first solar panel system in February 2006, according to town officials. Following this achievement, Mansfield earned a photovoltaic panel by becoming the first community in Connecticut to reach a 2.5 percent household participation rate.

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[LynzM]

1. Mansfield is a town of professors and lots of Libs!

I'm not surprised to see it happening here, people have the time, money, and desire to make it happen!