2 New Haven Colleges Going Solar: Southern CT State University, Gateway Community College

NEW HAVEN, CT — There are several colleges and universities in New Haven. Now, two will be powered by energy from the sun.

Greenskies Clean Focus, a North Haven solar company, has announced that with the completion of the 2.32 megawatt solar project in Orange, the energy produced from the solar array will supply power to both Gateway Community College and Southern Connecticut State University, according to the company.

Greenskies reports the distributed energy resource solar facility will help Connecticut State Colleges & Universities (CSCU) "realize an estimated $6 million in energy savings over 20 years of operation."

The decentralized, grid-connected energy system—such as solar panels, wind turbines, or energy storage—generates or stores electricity near where it is used, improving energy efficiency and resilience, the company noted in a news release.

According to Greenskies, the Orange-based solar array leverages Connecticut’s Virtual Net Metering (VNM) program, which allows the energy generated at a remote site to offset its energy consumption at other locations. In conjunction with Greenskies, the CSCU VNM contract enables this solar array in Orange to serve as a DER facility for two CSCU campuses in New Haven, which helps both institutions reduce their reliance on grid-supplied electricity and lower their energy costs.

"CSCU is excited to continue its partnership with Greenskies and identify ways to further offset electric utility costs at two of its campuses," Chancellor Terrence Cheng said. "CSCU is committed to finding ways of utilizing clean, sustainable energy and reducing operating costs across our system through public-private partnerships like this."

Greenskies noted that in addition to the financial benefits, this system will generate over three million kilowatt-hours of clean, renewable energy each year, offsetting more than 1,500 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) annually—the equivalent of more than:

• 156,000 gallons of gasoline burned
• 560 tons of waste added to landfills
• 26,000 trees planted

(Source: Supporting Connecticut’s renewable energy goals is vital to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing energy security, and fostering economic growth through clean energy job creation.

"This project represents another step forward in Connecticut’s transition to a clean energy future," said Ryan Linares, VP Real Estate of Greenskies Clean Focus. "By leveraging solutions like Virtual Net Metering, we are helping institutions like CSCU reduce energy costs and carbon emissions while supporting the state’s renewable energy objectives. We deeply appreciate CSCU’s continued partnership, which has now resulted in over 14.5 MW successful distributed solar projects that demonstrate the power of collaboration in advancing sustainable energy solutions."

About Greenskies Clean Focus

Greenskies Clean Focus offers a full suite of decarbonization solutions, including onsite and offsite solar, battery storage, microgrids, and CCHP. Our vertical integration delivers the most cost-competitive solutions for commercial, public sector, and utility energy users throughout the US. From beginning to end, our customers work with a single delivery team. Greenskies originates, develops, constructs, and operates, while Clean Focus finances and owns the systems. Since our founding in 2009, we have developed and constructed over 320 MW of renewable energy facilities across more than 600 sites in 19 states. Solar Power World ranks Greenskies Clean Focus as the number one commercial solar developer in the Northeast and top three in the US, based on cumulative kW installed. For more information about Greenskies Clean Focus and its decarbonization solutions, please visit www.greenskies.com.

About Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU)

The Connecticut State Colleges & Universities (CSCU) contribute to the creation of knowledge and economic growth in Connecticut by providing accessible, affordable, innovative, and rigorous academic programs to 85,000 students. CSCU is a system of six public colleges and universities that includes four universities, one community college with 12 campuses, and the state’s only online college. CSCU offers exemplary undergraduate and graduate instruction leading to degrees in liberal arts, sciences, fine arts, applied fields and professional disciplines, as well as comprehensive degree and certificate programs, non-credit lifelong learning opportunities and job skills training programs, contributing to the economic growth of Connecticut. For more information about Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, please visit www.ct.edu