South Windsor Nixes Police Solar Canopy Project

SOUTH WINDSOR, CT — Plans to build solar carports at the South Windsor Police Department are on hold indefinitely following the town council's meeting last month.

With multiple town and police officials reporting concerns about the project, the South Windsor Town Council voted unanimously by a consensus voice vote that the project should be tabled.

South Windsor Town Engineer Jeffrey Doolittle, also a member of the town's energy committee, discussed the situation with the full council May 16 at South Windsor Town Hall.

Plans had called for the building of solar canopies to shelter the town police department's fleet of vehicles, while simultaneously providing a location for solar panels that would power the nearby police station.

But Doolittle, according to meeting minutes, said police officials had some concerns regarding the height of the structure and issues regarding ice and snow.

Meanwhile, Doolittle said the price of steel is going up and costs to build the structure outweighed any savings from having solar power provided on site.

The town had contracted with Greenskies Clean Energy out of North Haven to provide the canopies and set up the power system.

South Windsor Town Manager Michael Maniscalco, according to minutes, said the "town not agreeable to moving forward with this particular solar project as there would not be a cost savings for the town."

Councilman Andrew Paterna said the energy committee agreed with the town's assertion that the project wouldn't be worth it, according to meeting minutes.

As a result, the council tabled the project.