Solar Opportunities - Connecticut

Solar Offerings and Incentives

All across Connecticut, it is possible to find a qualified contractor to install rooftop solar on homes and businesses. Depending on where you live, you may be eligible for a limited time offer of discounted purchase prices or may be able to purchase solar power without actually installing the equipment on your property.  These Solarize programs and community or shared solar opportunities are listed below.  Of course, you can always install solar on your home by hiring a qualified solar installer, even if you don’t live in one of these program areas.  If so, don’t forget to claim the state tax incentives (see below).

State Tax Incentives and Rebates

Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing

This financing program allows homeowners to borrow money to make energy improvements to their home. Improvements eligible for this type of financing include solar photovoltaics, solar water heat, and others that are determined by local governments.

More information can be found here.

Renewable Energy Property Tax Incentive

Connecticut offers a tax incentive for homeowners who install a renewable energy system on their properties and use it to supply energy to their home. It exempts 100% of the appraised value of most renewable energy systems from property taxes.  More information is available here.

Solar Rebates

Residential Solar Investment Program

Description: This statewide program offers rebates to homeowners who install solar PV systems. Rebate amounts vary depending on the system size and whether the homeowner purchased or leased the equipment.

Eligibility: Homeowners must have an Energy Audit before installation and use a Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority (CEFIA) approved contractor in order to receive the rebate.

More information is available here.

Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit

A federal-level investment tax credit (ITC) is now available to consumers wanting to purchase small wind turbines, solar panels, or geothermal heat pumps.  The ITC, written into law through the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, is available for equipment installed from Oct. 3, 2008 through Dec. 31, 2016. The credit covers 30% of the equipment cost, though some technologies have a credit cap of $2000. More details and a complete list of eligible technologies can be found here.

Local programs

Solarize Connecticut

Description:  The Solarize Connecticut program seeks to increase home solar use in Connecticut. The program offers bulk discount pricing, access to affordable financing, and streamlined installations for the residents of solarize towns. Solarize Connecticut makes going solar easy by allowing each town to competitively choose an installer. You can even get a free, no obligation site consultation to see if your residence qualifies.

In order to be eligible for this program you must be a resident of a solarize town. Check the list of towns below to see if your town is a solarize town.

New Solarize programs may be offered in other towns in 2015.  If interested, check back in the spring for additional information.

More information about Solarize Connecticut can be found here or you can contact Kate Donnelly at kdonnelly@SmartPower.org.

Somers Solar Center

Description:   This project produces enough electricity to power 5,000 homes. Customers of Connecticut Light & Power are eligible to sign up for this power.

Eligibility: Must be a customer of Connecticut Light & Power Co.

More information can be found here or call the CL&P directly at 860-947-2000

East Lyme Solar Park

Description:   Customers of Connecticut Light & Power or United Illuminating Company may purchase power from this solar facility.

Eligibility: Must be a customer of Connecticut Light & Power or United Illuminating Co.

For more information click on the company that services you:

Connecticut Light &Power 

United Illuminating Co.

Other incentives

There are several other incentives programs for renewables in Connecticut which may be useful to you.  Check this list for more information.  Be sure to check whether your utility company offers a rebate or loan program that could help make your purchase more affordable.