After completing pilot programs in Bethany, Chester and Madison, a nonprofit solar purchasing cooperative says it’s going statewide.
CT Solar Challenge, which was officially incorporated in February, said it has installed dozens of solar hot water and electric systems at homes and business in the three towns.
The cooperative, which was formed with the help of Aegis Solar in Branford, where the two entities are located in the same office building, saves money by using volunteers for outreach and education. That saves on marketing costs, and CT Solar says it passed the savings onto resident and business owners who buy a system.
There are incentives for municipalities that sign a letter of commitment with the group, recruit volunteers and provide workshop space.
A town gets points towards a free municipal solar installation for each photovoltaic system purchased by its residents.
Stephanie Mallozzi, assistant director for CT Solar, said Aegis installed all the systems in the three pilot towns, but said the pool of installers will need to grow now that the program is marketing itself to all of Connecticut’s cities and towns.
