West Hartford DPW Goes Solar Once Again

WEST HARTFORD, CT — After a winter of plowing away the white stuff, the West Hartford Department of Public Works has now gone green.

The town announced Tuesday it has completed a new rooftop solar installation at its Department of Public Works facility at 17 Brixton St., replacing a previous system and advancing its goal of reaching 100 percent clean energy by 2050, town officials said.

The project was developed and constructed by Greenskies Clean Focus, which will own and operate the system under a 20-year power purchase agreement.

The arrangement allows the town to generate renewable electricity on-site while securing a lower, fixed energy rate, reducing long-term operating costs.

The installation replaces a solar array originally installed in 2012 and removed in 2022 during a roof replacement.

The upgraded system restores on-site solar generation at the facility.

“The Town of West Hartford is committed to a clean energy future and actively pursues opportunities for both on-site and off-site solar, as well as purchasing renewable energy credits (RECs) to offset carbon emissions from traditional grid-based consumption,” said Catherine Diviney, energy specialist for the town and West Hartford Public Schools.

Town officials said the project aligns with West Hartford’s Comprehensive Energy Plan, adopted in 2021, which commits the community to achieving 100 percent clean energy by 2050.

The town received Gold-level certification from Sustainable CT in 2024 in recognition of its climate initiatives.

“Communities like West Hartford are demonstrating how municipal infrastructure can play an important role in advancing practical clean energy solutions,” said Ryan Linares, head of real estate at Greenskies Clean Focus. “We’re proud to support the Town’s long-term energy strategy and help deliver reliable renewable power that benefits both taxpayers and the environment.”

The DPW installation is part of broader municipal efforts to expand renewable energy use, improve efficiency across town buildings, and strengthen climate resilience.