CT Stimulus Encourages Solar Power Adoption
When we think about state governments that are active in encouraging the use of solar power adoption the states that typically come to mind are large, liberal states such as California. However, the little state of Connecticut is showing up some of those other big players in the green scene. The governor of the state recently announced that it is dedicating $4 million of federal stimulus money specifically to encourage the installation of solar-powered hot water heaters. This is a big move for a small state and it’s one that they should be proud of.
Connecticut has actually received almost $40 million in federal funding for their State Energy Plan. This is a multi-faceted plan for encouraging green development and eco-friendly habits among individuals and businesses. The plan includes such things as creating green collar jobs, focusing on fuel cell development and increasing the energy efficiency of all state buildings. It also includes the recently-announced Solar Thermal Incentive Program which is what the $4 million has been set aside to fund.
This money will be used to help cover the costs of installing solar-powered hot water heaters in both homes and businesses. In a state as cold as Connecticut it’s important to have a good hot water heater. It is also important to the state to be forward-thinking in the use of renewable energy resources. This stimulus will encourage individuals and business owners to install the solar heaters by making it affordable to do so. The money should pay for approximately 600 residential solar heaters and 120 heaters for businesses. Each heater should cover about four/fifths of the building’s total energy needs. With the extra incentive of the lower energy bills that would result from the installation there’s no reason why people wouldn’t want to take advantage of this government program.
Although this is a state program, it’s funded by federal money that comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This means that applications to participate in the program are accepted by all homeowners, businesses and organizations in the state. The funding is predicted to last through Spring 2012 and should result in a big change in the way that solar energy is used in this state. Perhaps we should start looking at Connecticut as a model for solar energy development!
Publish Date: 2009-10-19 10:53:50
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