Solarize Middletown Deadline Approaching

The Solarize Middletown program is coming to an end February 3rd, so anyone who wants to install solar on their home through the program needs to participate soon. With Eversource generation rates up 19% as of January 1, 2017, the timing of the program is opportune to help protect residents from future rate increases. Residents who have not already signed up to have their home evaluated for solar at no charge to them can do so at www.solarizect.com/middletown.

For the past four months, Solarize Middletown has been doing community outreach and education about residential solar power. To date, 161 Middletown residents have participated in the program and requested an evaluation of their home for solar. The last Solarize Middletown workshop will be offered on Sunday, January 29th at First Church in Middletown at 190 Court Street at 11:30 am.

The purpose of Solarize Middletown is to make the installation of solar arrays more affordable for residents. To do this, the Middletown Clean Energy Task Force selected one installer, Sunlight Solar, to work with Middletown residents in exchange for discount pricing. The aggregated effort of people going solar at the same time allows the installer to buy the equipment in bulk and pass on the savings to residents. People who work and worship in Middletown are also able to participate in the program at the discounted rate.

The program has encouraged residents to go solar through an ownership model rather than a lease or PPA with 0% down options to allow residents to go solar with no money out of pocket. Last year, 81% of residents in the state of Connecticut went solar through either a lease or PPA, and forfeited the federal and state incentives that largely contribute to the long-term financial benefits of solar. With 0% loan options, residents that qualify for a lease can likely also qualify for the solar loans to install solar. They can similarly potentially start saving right away, but keep ownership of the 30% federal tax credit and the state rebate.

Residents who want more information about the program or have questions about their solar proposal can call Chamae Mejias, the Community Outreach Manager for Solarize Middletown at 860-331-1041 or email cmejias@smartpower.org.