Verogy announced it has completed Connecticut’s largest solar project, developed under the state’s Shared Clean Energy Facility (SCEF) program. Furthermore, at 5.96 MW, it is the largest SCEF project completed to dateDCEnfield Solar One is also the first SCEF project completed in Eversource’s service area.
The SCEF program, administered by the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) in partnership with the state’s utilities, is an initiative designed to overcome barriers to access to renewable energy. The program allows residents and businesses who may not be able to invest in clean energy projects due to unsuitable ownership conditions or rental status to benefit from renewable energy.
“The SCEF program is a major step forward for Connecticut,” said Will Herchel, CEO of Verogy. “Verogy’s Enfield SCEF project is not just about producing renewable energy; it’s about making that energy more accessible than ever. Thanks to SCEF, even more customers in Connecticut can now benefit from clean energy. This is an important part of our path to a more sustainable future.”
Through SCEF, low- and moderate-income energy customers in Connecticut benefit directly from power production from a clean energy project. As SCEF projects become operational, customers are selected to enroll as ‘subscribers’. These subscribers will receive a monthly bill credit free of charge for part of the electricity generated by the project for up to 20 years.
Enfield Solar One consists of Phono Solar bifacial 545-W modules that are estimated to produce 8,566,000 kWh annually. With a credit of 2.5 cents per kWh on subscribers’ monthly bills, Enfield Solar One will generate an estimated $214,150 in electricity savings annually for low- and moderate-income households and other utilities over the next twenty years.
“By offering low- and moderate-income customers a monthly credit on their bills, our project helps ensure that the benefits of renewable energy are widely and fairly shared,” Herchel said.
Verogy is one of the top developers of SCEF projects in Connecticut and has been awarded nine projects totaling 42 MW. By building these SCEF projects, Verogy will help expand the equitable deployment of clean energy and increase access to clean energy for more low- and moderate-income customers. Verogy is currently working with the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority and state policymakers to find ways to increase credits for low-income households under the SCEF program.
“Verogy is pleased to be at the forefront of this important initiative,” said Herchel. “Programs like SCEF are critical to making renewable energy more accessible and affordable for Connecticut residents. We hope that SCEF and future community solar programs will be expanded and enhanced with tools to provide even more benefits to Connecticut’s utilities.”
News item from Verogy