Newtown has been selected to participate in a unique solar program offered through the Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority (CEFIA). The town will join ten other communities in Phase 3 of Solarize Connecticut, which expects to more than double the amount of solar across the community over the 20-week program.

Also participating in the program are a coalition of Ashford, Chaplin, Hampton and Pomfret; a coalition of Easton, Redding and Trumbull; and the towns of Greenwich, Manchester, and West Hartford. 

Solarize is a unique program offered by CEFIA in partnership with SmartPower that increases residential solar through a proven formula. It leverages group discounts through a pre-selected installer to reduce the cost of solar; it relies on the community to provide outreach and education to create awareness and build interest, and it promotes a clear end date that motivates residents to act.

Over the past several weeks town officials have been interviewing installers and announced recently they have formally selected Astrum Solar to be part of Solarize Newtown program and do all of Newtown’s solar installations.

“Every family that elects to install a solar electric system in their home helps to diversify the energy mix for the Town, the state and the country,” said Newtown First Selectman Patricia Llodra. “The more we balance our sources of energy, the more we create a sustainable environment for ourselves, for our children and for all those who will come after. While everyone is impressed by the big, flashy energy projects, it may well be the individual residents using the ‘Solarize Newtown’ program that makes the most longstanding contribution to our community.”

Solarize Newtown will officially kick off with its launch solar workshop on Tuesday September 24, at 7 pm. A 90-minute workshop will be offered at Reed Intermediate School, 3 Trades Lane. Residents who are interested in learning more about Solarize Newtown are urged to attend. In order to participate in the discounts offered through Solarize Newtown, residents must sign a contract by February 11, 2014.

“CEFIA is extremely proud of what we have been able to achieve through the Solarize program. We continue to see our financing tools and the Solarize model bringing down the cost of solar and making it affordable for more and more homeowners throughout Connecticut,” stated Bryan Garcia, president and CEO of CEFIA. “We expect to achieve similar success as we begin the next phase of this innovative program with the participation of Newtown town leaders and their dedicated volunteers.”

Additional information about Solarize Newtown can be found by visiting www.solarizect.com/Newtown; by contacting Astrum Solar directly at 800-903-6130 or Chris.Memmelaar@astrumsolar.com; or visiting www.astrumsolar.com/solarizenewtown.