Animal shelter, tech schools awarded solar hot water equipment

An area animal shelter and several technical high schools have been awarded domestic solar hot water equipment by the Connecticut Green Bank.

Recipients of the equipment will be responsible for paying for installation and commissioning of the systems, according to a release.

The Connecticut Technical Education and Career System in Hartford and the Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter in Branford are the first two recipients of the equipment, and were selected through a request for proposals. The Green Bank has released an updated RFP seeking applications from other organizations that could use “the remaining solar hot water systems available for donation,” the release said.

The equipment awarded to CTECS will be installed by students and staff at eight schools in the system: H.C. Wilcox Technical High School in Meriden; Eli Whitney Technical High in Hamden; H.H. Ellis Technical High School in Danielson; Platt Technical High School in Milford; Ella T. Grasso Technical High in Groton; J. M. Wright in Stamford; E.C. Goodwin in New Britain; and Emmett O’Brien in Ansonia, it said.

According to the release, “The solar hot water systems will be used as part of CTECS E-House program, which serve as energy efficiency learning laboratories featuring high-efficiency and clean, renewable energy technologies and examples of past and present construction practices.”

Branford First Selectman James B. Cosgrove said in the release that the town “is grateful for the solar thermal donation. Technology like this helps the Town keep operational costs low and simultaneously benefits our environment. We are pleased to reaffirm our commitment to being a sustainable community.”

The Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter serves Branford and North Branford.

“In partnership with the local energy committee, a local architectural firm and the Office of Sustainability, the Shelter’s goal is to become one of the first net zero animal shelters in the country. By producing our own domestic hot water through solar thermal energy this will greatly help us achieve our net zero objectives,” Laura Burban, director of the shelter, said in the release. “We believe in helping to protect our environment and make our building healthy, comfortable and safe for all who work, visit and temporarily live here.”

Organizations can access the updated RFP at www.ctgreen bank.com/about-us/open-rfps/.

For more information, visit www.ctgreenbank.com.

Contributed photo Laura Burban, director of the Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter in Branford, with an orphaned fawn.