4 minute read
Milford Green
Sold on Solar
Concerns about the environmental impact and cost of fossil fuels have led many in our community to embrace renewable, clean energy. Drive around Milford and you will see more and more homes, businesses, and organizations installing and using solar panels to generate electricity. These panels contain photovoltaic cells that “convert light energy to electricity,” according to the website Gosolarct.com. When sunlight hits these cells, an electrical current is created and that electricity is used to power the house or building, and, in most cases, the excess electricity is transmitted back into the grid.
One of the most recent large arrays to be installed in the city is on the Milford Bank property on Depot Street. Tyler Haskell, Milford Bank security & facilities manager, is enthusiastic about the system, which he designed. The system went live in March 2020. “There are actually two arrays there, one on the roof of the bank’s 9 Depot Street building and the carport in the parking lot between Depot and High Streets,” said Haskell. “We decided to install them as a way to save money—we get credit for the electricity we produce—but also as way to go green and reduce our carbon footprint.”
The attractive design of the carport solar array stands out in the downtown area. Located in a historic district, a great deal of creativity went into the planning. According to Haskell, “We worked closely with the city to develop the appearance of the array to conform to the required aesthetics.” The array also includes two electric vehicle charging stations for Milford Bank employees and visitors.
Milford Redevelopment and Housing Partnership (MRHP) executive director Anthony Vasiliou shared that the MRHP also has a commitment to reducing costs and its carbon footprint and has installed photovoltaic panels on two of its properties. A rooftop array generating 110,000 kwh per year is in operation on the 75 Demaio Drive property, and a ground-mounted array generating 95,000 kwh per year is located at 100 Viscount Drive. “The Viscount Drive array is the largest ground-based one in town,” stated Vasiliou. “We are one of the few housing authorities with such large installations.”
The Demaio Drive and Viscount Drive arrays were designed and installed by MSL group, led by Michael Likamele. MSL group builds and manages renewable energy solutions in Connecticut and continues to maintain the MRHP arrays. Likamele and Vasiliou explained that a large part of the cost-savings is that MRHP has contracted with MSL group for a 20-year electric rate stabilization, below market cost, for power to the properties’ common areas.
A few years ago, Milford Public Schools (MPS) and the Board of Education embarked on a “Reduce, Recycle, Reuse” initiative to reduce the school system’s carbon footprint, become greener, and save money for the city. A large part of this program has been installing solar arrays on the roofs of all the city’s schools to generate electricity. A 2019 YouTube video from MPS features
(Above) The Milford Bank solar arrays capture energy for their buildings; (Below) The Viscount Dr. array is the largest ground-based array in Milford.
superintendent Dr. Anna Cutaia on the rooftop of East Shore Middle School, showing that array, which is low-profile and attractive.
Although most solar arrays are designed to produce electricity to power a building or home, there can also be other uses. According to Jennifer Paradis, executive director of the Beth-El Center, “the solar panels were installed on the roof of the center approximately eight or nine years ago to heat water. The system works very well, and we never run out of hot water, even with six showers potentially being used at the same time. There has been a huge cost savings, and since it is also green energy it is a win-win.”
For homeowners interested in installing a solar array, there are many companies to choose from. The State of Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection has created an easy-to-use guide that includes questions to ask prior to choosing a company. They encourage homeowners to get multiple quotes from different contractors, speak with a tax professional about potential tax credits to help defray the cost, and verify licensing once a contractor is chosen. Search for the Solar Panel Buyer’s Guide on the CT.gov site.
A commitment to renewable energy and reducing the carbon footprint, along with the potential cost-savings in electricity, has made using solar power very attractive and its popularity is growing. It is a great way to help to “go green!”
A solar array generates electricity from the rooftop of the MHRP property at 75 Demaio Drive.
— Shaileen Kelly Landsberg
MICHAEL LIKAMELE
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