Community center is ‘going solar’

LITCHFIELD – The Board of Directors of the Litchfield Community Center recently made a decision to make its facility more sustainable by selecting Earthlight Technologies, a SunPower Commercial Dealer and EnergizeCT contractor, to install a 38-Kilowatt solar system on the roof of the Community Center.

“We are delighted with the agreement reached with Earthlight. It will allow the Center to reduce its operating costs while delivering clean, renewable energy to the facility,” said John Post, president of the center’s board of directors.

The system is designed to produce 94 percent of power that the community center uses annually. The Center will not have to pay any money upfront and will be able to buy their power from Earthlight at a reduced rate which is fixed for 20 years.

With Connecticut generation rates scheduled to increase again in January, solar will help Litchfield Community Center decrease their operating costs for decades to come.

“Solar is major contributor to helping the state increase its Renewable Portfolio Standard to 40 percent by 2030 and encouraging electric providers to obtain energy from renewable sources,” says Tim Schneider, CEO of Earthlight Technologies. “Installing solar on notfor-profits like the Litchfield Community Center strengthens the resiliency of our local communities while continuing to provide well-paying Connecticut jobs in solar energy.”

Power Purchase Agreements are a way for nonprofits to take advantage of the electricity cost savings from solar energy without having to own the solar panels or any out-ofpocket costs.

Nonprofits are generally unable to take advantage of the tax benefits that come with purchasing a solar system since they do not have the requisite tax appetite.

The current federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) allows solar owners to deduct 30% of the investment of a solar energy system for systems installed through the end of 2019. A PPA works by having another company buy, own and maintain the solar system, and then sell the power the system generates to the non-profit at a lower rate than the standard utility rate.

“It’s great to see our customers experience the financial savings and peace of mind from the most efficient and reliable technology on the market today” said Sam Schneider, Chief Operating Officer, Earthlight Technologies.

About the Litchfield Community CenterThe Litchfield Community Center is a non-profit organization serving Litchfield and the surrounding communities of Connecticut since 2000, offering daily creative, intellectual and recreational programs for all ages.

Over the course of the year, more than 8,000 adults and 2,000 children participate in our programs, more than 500 are offered at no cost. Residents and non-residents are welcome to join us.