Sustainability committee urges school solar push; Green Bank, Solar Map Plus cited as tools

Committee members presented charts showing Simsbury has far less solar capacity on municipal school properties than comparable Connecticut towns and discussed next steps to pursue solar for schools using Solar Map Plus, Green Bank technical assistance and power purchase agreement (PPA) models.

A committee spokesperson summarized meetings with town Public Works staff and the Board of Education and said the goal is to pursue a financially sound energy plan that reduces utility bills for school buildings and frees funds for school operations. "We have, 15 currently," the presenter said of school solar capacity, a figure committee members contrasted with peer districts that have thousands of kilowatts installed.

Why it matters: Committee members said other districts with similar socioeconomics save hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars per year through school solar PPAs. The committee discussed rooftop readiness at Latimer School and the potential for carport canopy projects, both of which can increase usable solar capacity and are now eligible for higher incentives in the commercial solar incentive program, according to presenters.

Tools and technical support: Committee members highlighted Solar Map Plus, an Energize Connecticut technical program that can package district assessments and produce RFPs and PPA structures. They also described Green Bank assistance, including no‑cost technical hand‑holding through RFPs, contractor selection and installation oversight.

Barriers and staff capacity: Committee members and staff said the main obstacles are staff time to manage procurement and RFP writing and the need for Board of Finance, Board of Selectmen and Board of Education alignment. They emphasized that Green Bank and Solar Map Plus can provide much of the technical and procurement support so local staff and school officials would not have to manage every step.

Attribution and scope: Speakers included committee members who led the energy plan work and referenced meetings with Department of Public Works staff (Tom Roy, Chris Petron) and Board of Education staff (Jason Casey). No formal municipal decision or budget appropriation was made at the meeting; members discussed coordinating next steps and bringing an information package to the Board of Finance.

Next steps: Committee members said they will reconnect with the Board of Education and Department of Public Works, request Green Bank assessments using Solar Map Plus and prepare materials for a Board of Finance briefing that could highlight projected savings and potential PPA structures.