The Newtown Sustainable Energy Commission has launched a new initiative, beginning in October, to bring solar panel systems to residents and businesses.

The first community meeting will be Thursday, October 8, from 6:30 to 8 pm, in the meeting room at C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street.

For the 2015 Newtown Energy Challenge program, the Sustainable Energy Commission is working with Direct Energy Solar and Ross Solar to offer a limited-time program with a streamlined process and significant financial savings for residents who want to install solar on their property.

The program began on Monday, and will continue through December 5, 2015. During this time the Newtown Sustainable Energy Commission, Direct Energy Solar, and Ross Solar will host several information sessions, community meetings, solar home tours, and other educational opportunities for those who want to learn more about solar energy.

For more information contact Kathy Quinn at QuinnKA@aol.com or visit gogreennewtown.com, go.directenergysolar.com/newtown, or rosssolargroup.com.

“We’ve partnered with communities across the United States and have seen tremendous support for these programs. People like working with their friends and neighbors to increase awareness of how solar can save you money and be a smart investment,” said Jennifer Coken, director of community programs for Direct Energy Solar. “We truly enjoyed our initial partnership with Newtown and are excited about continuing this relationship and providing Newtown citizens and businesses easy access to affordable solar.”

“Newtown has been one of the friendliest solar towns in Connecticut,” said Joshua Ross, co-owner of Ross Solar Group. “Three of our first installations in 2008 were in Newtown. We have seen the trend continue with residents embracing solar, a proactive energy commission, and professional building officials.”

Newtown Sustainable Energy Commission Chair Kathy Quinn said, “Two years ago we had the Solarize Newtown program and we doubled the number of residential solar installations in town. The Newtown Energy Challenge will provide a new opportunity to educate, empower, and provide more options for people thinking of going solar and that’s a good thing.”

Direct Energy Solar is a leading national full-service solar provider, serving homeowners and businesses in Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington, DC. Its mission is to spread solar power to the rooftops of America and to ensure that customers get the most out of their solar panels.

Ross Solar Group, based in Danbury, is family owned and operated since 2007. Ross Solar provides custom designed turnkey solar solutions to both commercial and residential solar customers throughout Connecticut.

Ross Solar received the SunPower Intelligent Design Award in 2012 for its contribution to a 345-kilowatt installation at North Shore Community College in Danvers, Mass., and was also named SunPower National Top Producer in 2013. Since its inception, Ross Solar has installed more than 2,000 solar energy systems including installations for Walmart, Bed Bath & Beyond, Jetro Wholesale Foods, Pfizer, St Rose Church, the Town of Stafford, and numerous other municipalities and businesses.