Connecticut Green Bank Presents 2021 Awards

Top performing commercial and residential green energy contractors and other stakeholders recognized for their contributions to our communities

In recognition of their contributions to the deployment of clean energy and demonstrated leadership in their industries in 2021, the Connecticut Green Bank has announced the honorees of their seventh annual awards. The awards recognize key partners in the dedicated network of contractors, developers, lending partners, community leaders and home- and building-owners who have supported the Green Bank in the creation of more than 25,600 job years and over 60,000 clean energy projects since 2012. The 2021 awards recognize 27 contractors who are offering Green Bank’s Home Solutions or Building Solutions programs and are performing at a high level and developing outstanding projects, as well as recognizing other Green Bank partners.

Here are the award recipients for 2021:

Building Solutions

2021

Redevelopment
project at One Park
Road in West Hartford

This project is an outstanding example of the ability of Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) financing to support the redevelopment of historic properties. This $70 million project received $13.7 million in C-PACE financing from CastleGreen Finance, LLC (a C-PACE capital provider and an affiliate of X-Caliber Capital), supporting the conversion of a 135-year-old convent to a 292-unit multi-family housing complex, allowing the Sisters of St. Joseph of Chambéry to remain in their home. The project, developed by Lex-Laz West Hartford, LLC, an affiliate of Lexington Partners LLC, was also made possible by Martin Kenny and Alan Lazowski, the Town of West Hartford and Liberty Bank. The project is the largest C-PACE project closed in the State of Connecticut to date.

2021

Solar installation at
Ridgefield High School

The Green Bank honors Con Edison Solutions and the Ridgefield Board of Education for their 319.95 kW solar installation at Ridgefield High School. The solar system was installed through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) which is producing electricity and is estimated to help Ridgefield achieve more than $450,000 in savings over the 20 year-term. This is the fourth project the Town of Ridgefield has developed in partnership with the Green Bank.

Home Solutions

2021

Top Newcomer –
Green Power Energy

In only their second year in the Residential Solar Investment Program (RSIP), Green Power Energy installed more than 1 megawatt (MW) of solar PV systems in 2021 through the program. Since entering the state’s residential market in 2020, they have quickly grown into one of the highest volume residential solar PV contractors in Connecticut. Green Power Energy recently opened a Connecticut location in Durham with a staff of 15. Since 2020, Green Power Energy has installed a total of 212 projects for 2.5 MW of capacity.

2021

Top Local Performer –
Earthlight

Connecticut-based installer Earthlight had more than a MW of solar PV approved in 2021 through the RSIP. With 2.4 MW, Ellington-based Earthlight has demonstrated that local installers are continuing to grow their business with residential solar. Earthlight has participated in the RSIP since 2013 and has grown into one of Connecticut’s largest local installers of residential solar PV. Since 2013, Earthlight has installed a total of 1,380 projects for 13.6 MW of capacity.

2021

Smart-E Loan
Top Performers

For 2021, the Green Bank is recognizing 24 Smart-E Loan Top Performers. In 2021, the Top Performers helped over 450 families across Connecticut make home energy improvements – allowing them to save money, reduce their carbon footprint, and live more comfortably in their homes. The Smart-E Loan offers homeowners no money down, low-interest financing for more than 40 qualifying projects that reduce energy use and lower utility costs. Since 2013, the Smart-E loan has enabled more than 6,000 families to make improvements with a projected lifetime energy cost savings of over $70 million.

In partnership with nine participating local lenders, the Top Performers’ projects surpassed $91 million in closed Smart-E Loans. Financed projects included insulation and window upgrades, high efficiency heating and cooling solutions, rooftop solar PV and battery storage systems, health and safety improvements, and more.

The 2021 Top Performers (in alphabetical order; * denotes 2020 Top Performer recognition):