Programs
Residential
Energy Efficiency Programs
Aim is to help customers use less energy to meet their needs. Funded through a charge on utility ratepayers bills, conservation and load management (C&LM) programs are described in the state’s C&LM plan, as approved by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). These include home energy audits and financial incentives for energy efficient products.
Energy Storage
Energy storage generally refers to systems that receive energy and store it for later use (e.g. batteries). A recent law authorized the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) to establish an energy storage program for utility customers, including residential customers. Newtown has joined with Smart Power in their PowerSmart program to do accomplish this goal. https://powersmartnewtown.wee.green
Electric Vehicle Charging Program
The Electric Vehicle Charging Program is administered by the electric distribution companies (Eversource & United Illuminating), provides up front and ongoing incentive for customers to purchase and install electric vehicle chargers at their homes and participate in managed charging.
Renewable Energy Programs
Renewable energy programs generally encourage customers to install and use energy sources designated as “renewable” under state law (e.g. solar, wind and fuel cells). The Residential Renewable Energy Solutions Program (RRES) allows residential customers to enter in contracts to sell energy and renewable energy credits (RECs) from renewable energy facilities installed at the customer’s home (e.g. solar panels) to Eversource or UI at a fixed 20-year price. The Green Bank offers several financing programs for homeowners and multifamily building owners.
Energy Assistance Programs
Energy assistance programs aim to help customers with low incomes pay for energy (e.g. heat or electricity). In Connecticut, these programs are funded generally through federal block grants, including the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). State law additionally requires utilities to administer a Matching Payment Program to help customers pay down their arrearages.
Connecticut Green Bank Financing for Residential Projects
By state law, the Connecticut Green Bank authorizes expenditures from the Clean Energy Fund, which is funded through a one-mill-per-kilowatt charge on electric ratepayer bills. This funding, along with other public and private funding sources, supports Green Bank programs that include financing for residential energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.
For More Info on Residential Energy Programs in CT, go to:
Small Business & Commercial
Energy Efficiency Programs
Energy efficiency programs are available for small retailers, professional offices, manufacturers, restaurants, independent grocery stores or any eligible small business using 1,250,000 kWh or less each year – that need a turnkey solution for a comprehensive energy upgrade. Start with a no-cost, no-obligation energy assessment through Energize CT for small businesses, or an energy assessment for commercial manufacturing and distribution operations.
Non-Residential Renewable Energy Solutions (NRES)
Non-Residential Renewable Energy Solutions (NRES) is an incentive program through Eversource that can help you offset the cost of the electricity you buy from Eversource with the energy you generate with solar or other Connecticut Class 1 renewable technologies.
Small Business and Commercial Financing
The Connecticut Green Bank offers solutions for commercial buildings of all types to access upgrades to new and existing buildings. Low-cost, long-term financing is repaid by the property owner over time through an assessment that is placed on the property under the C-PACE (Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy) program. More modern, sustainable buildings help owners save money, reduce their environmental impact, and create better spaces for their tenants, employees, and residents. Learn more about how the Connecticut Green Bank makes C-PACE possible for retrofit and new construction projects.