WinnCompanies recently completed a solar power installation at Mill Pond Village, a 360-unit apartment development located in Broad Brook.
The solar photovoltaic system produces approximately 280,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity a year.
“By installing solar energy at Mill Pond Village, we are preserving the long-term affordability of the development, and also allowing residents to reduce their carbon footprint,” said Heather Clark, director of green building for WinnCompanies.
As managers of 70,000 units of housing, most of which is affordable, Winn has a strong interest in developing and operating the properties as efficiently as possible, Clark said.
The solar installations are among the company’s green efforts. Other green projects have included Leed — Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design — in new construction and energy retrofits in existing buildings including air sealing and insulation, lighting improvements, and water efficiency.
The installations of solar panels at Mill Pond Village are part of a large-scale program by Winn to provide a total of almost one megawatt of solar power at seven locations.
The seven locations, considered phase one for Winn, include developments in Connecticut and Massachusetts.
According to company officials, the scope of these installations on affordable housing units is one of the largest initiatives put forward in the United States.
“As we enter 2009, we have positioned ourselves as a national leader in the use of renewable energy within the affordable housing arena,” said Sam Ross, chief executive officer of WinnCompanies.
“It is important as utility costs continue to escalate that we take steps to assure that our properties continue to provide the highest level of service to our residents,” he said. “Moreover, as a company, we want to make responsible decisions to better the environment.”
The solar panel project at Mill Pond Village received funding from Connecticut Innovations as well as the Federal Renewable Energy Tax Credit.
Mill Pond Village, which includes one-bedroom apartments to townhouses, is located on 47 acres of open fields surrounded by farmland. Amenities include a basketball court, tennis courts, theater, a gym and playgrounds.
Boston-based WinnCompanies employs with more than 2,000 employees has more than 35 years of experience in the development and management of properties throughout the United States with real estate holdings valued in excess of $1.5 billion.
— Heather Clark, director of green building, WinnCompanies
