Large Solar Development Proposed For East Windsor

EAST WINDSOR, CT — A Hartford-based solar development company is proposing to use a 73-acre parcel at 341 East Rd. for a solar energy project called East Windsor Solar One.

A presentation was made Tuesday to the East Windsor Planning & Zoning Commission by Verogy, a firm with considerable experience in the solar energy industry. The project would result in a total system capacity of 4.975 MWac, and annual production of 9,517 mWh per year, enough to power 1,139 average homes.

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According to a fact sheet provided by the firm, benefits to East Windsor would include:

• Increasing new annual municipal tax revenues with no additional burden on town services
• Infrastructure upgrades that improve the reliability of East Windsor’s electrical grid
• Reduction in energy demand during peak usage will decrease energy costs for ratepayers statewide
• Strengthened renewable energy resources that produce electricity locally with zero pollution
• Creation of 24 construction jobs and two new full-time jobs in the region

The project would help support Gov. Ned Lamont's goal of 100 percent zero carbon target for the electricity sector by the year 2040. Plans call for use of 35 of the 73 acres, leaving the rest undeveloped and available for other uses, including agriculture and open space.

Minimal environmental impacts would be felt by the project, and there would be no disruption to wetlands or core forest.

Pending approval, developers hope to break ground in November, and the project would be completed by April 2021.