Cheshire Correctional Facilities Now Using Solar Energy Systems

CHESHIRE, CT — In a suite of projects that officials say will generate millions in cost savings while delivering clean, renewable energy to the institutions, seven solar energy systems have been installed and are now operating at six of Connecticut’s correctional facilities.

Two of the facilities are in Cheshire: the Cheshire Correctional Institution (2.4 megawatts) and Manson Youth Institution (2.2. megawatts).

Because correctional facilities operate nonstop 365 days a year, they are among the largest consumers of energy of all state-owned facilities, according to officials.

“Installing solar energy systems at correctional facilities is a way that we can deliver cost savings in the operations of state government while also reducing our carbon footprint,” Gov. Ned Lamont said in a statement. “Correctional facilities provide a necessary public safety service for our communities, and their around-the-clock operations require a significant amount of energy to function. I am glad that we could get these projects completed and that our correctional facilities can begin taking advantage of the benefits of solar energy.”

The seven systems will collectively deliver 8.3 megawatts of clean, renewable energy to the correctional facilities, saving the state more than $11 million in energy costs over the lifetime of the panels and reducing carbon emissions by the equivalent of approximately 5,000 metric tons annually, according to a news release.

Read more from the news release below:

The projects are a collaboration between the Connecticut Department of Correction (DOC) and the Connecticut Department of Administrative Services (DAS), along with the Connecticut Green Bank and TotalEnergies, a global integrated energy company. They were financed by the Connecticut Green Bank in partnership with TotalEnergies. The company will own, operate, and maintain the systems through a power purchase agreement executed by DAS.

“With our 13 facilities operating on an around the clock basis 365 days a year, we are always looking for ways to reduce our energy costs,” DOC Commissioner Angel Quiros said. “The fact that we can do so by utilizing a clean energy source is an added bonus.”

DAS Commissioner Michelle Gilman said, “These seven projects are a win-win for the state. They will reduce our carbon footprint and save significant money for taxpayers. This has been a collaborative effort, and we look forward to building on this progress with other state agencies in the years to come.”

“Solar projects of this size and scope have significant benefits, and take time and coordination to complete, which makes it necessary to gather an excellent team of state and private capital partners,” Bryan Garcia, president and CEO of the Connecticut Green Bank, said. “Thanks to the attention and collaboration of everyone involved, the Green Bank was able to use our Solar MAP process to streamline each step of going solar, from design to contracting to financing and energization. Building on this success, we will continue to work together to finalize more projects in our pipeline and help the state meet our climate goals while reducing energy costs.”

Eric Potts, vice president of TotalEnergies Renewables USA, said: “The successful completion of the DOC’s seven solar installations demonstrates large-scale, distributed clean energy is both feasible and reliable. These projects provide significant cost savings for the DOC while directly contributing to the state’s 2040 zero-carbon electricity target. TotalEnergies is proud to once again play a vital role in the public sector initiatives that drive sustainable outcomes.”

The correctional facilities utilizing these solar energy systems include:

• Cheshire Correctional Institution, Cheshire (2.4 megawatts)
• Enfield Correctional Institution, Enfield (181 kilowatts)
• Manson Youth Institution, Cheshire (2.2. megawatts)
• Osborn Correctional Institution, Somers (2.2 megawatts)
• Robinson Correctional Institution A, Enfield (83 kilowatts)
• Robinson Correctional Institution B, Enfield (167 kilowatts)
• Willard Correctional Institution, Enfield (1 megawatt)