Norwich Opens Largest Solar and Energy Storage System in State

Norwich, CT – Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) joined U.S Congressman Joe Courtney and other guests for the ceremonial opening the largest solar and energy storage system in the state.

Representatives from Norwich Public Utilities and the Connecticut Municipal Energy Cooperative (CMEEC) were among those present, according to a release.

“I give a tremendous amount of credit to Norwich Public Utilities and the team that General Manager John Bilda has put together for adding more renewables to NPU’s energy portfolio," Osten said in a release. "NPU and its partners are extremely forward thinking when it comes to addressing energy resources in this region – particularly renewable energy – that will increase business development...I think this solar garden is an extraordinary example of what can be accomplished for the benefit of all through public/private partnerships.”

The Stott family operated a dairy farm on the Stott Avenue land for seven generations. They then entered into a lease agreement with SolarCity to undertake harnessing solar energy, a new type of farming.

Through a partnership with CMEEC, NPU, SolarCity and Brightfields Development, more than 15,000 solar panels have been installed on more than 15 acres of unused farmland. NPU estimates that the 4.7 megawatt Mountain Ash Solar Farm will produce enough solar energy over the next two decades to power more than 8,400 homes for a year.

The energy storage system at Mountain Ash Farm is SolarCity’s first project that uses its GridLogic control platform to provide capacity services to a utility. CMEEC will be able to remotely and instantaneously dispatch stored solar energy if there is a disruption or disturbance in the power grid within its territory.

NPU will provide its customers with clean solar energy as part of its current electric service, without an additional charge. In concert with NPU’s existing hydropower capabilities, NPU’s energy portfolio is now 20 percent renewable.

Solar projects are also underway at the former Roger’s Road landfill in Norwich, one in Bozrah and two others on Navy property near the Naval submarine base in Groton.