Greenskies helps Connecticut colleges go solar, but further capacity may be in jeopardy

The first of nine projects that Greenskies plans to develop is in service, but the state’s virtual net metering cap may slow additional capacity from being built.

May 10, 2021 Tim Sylvia

Waterbury, Connecticut

Image: Wikipedia/Daniel Case

Greenskies Clean Energy has completed the first of a planned nine solar projects that the company is developing for Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU).

The initial project includes six solar arrays combined into a 6.1 MW ground-mounted solar system, located in Stonington in far southeastern Connecticut.

The project will provide energy to four CSCU campuses through Connecticut’s virtual net metering (VNM) program: Capital Community College in Hartford, Naugatuck Valley Community College in Waterbury, Middlesex Community College in Middletown, and Norwalk Community College in Norwalk. Greenskies also is working with a local beekeeper to establish a 10-hive apiary.

Outside of the completed project, two other projects ready for construction represent $19.5 million in potential savings. The other offer another $35.9 million in savings.

The projects and their associated savings, however, may be in jeopardy, as Connecticut’s current VNM program has reached its capacity cap, and no further projects can be funded and built without increasing the VNM caps. If the cap is raised and the eight remaining projects are built, CSCU is poised to reap $64.3 million in savings. That dollar amount could fall if the cap is not raised by the end of the year.

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