Soaking Up the Sun at Ridgefield High School!

Inside Town Hall: Updates from the Office of the First Selectman

The Ridgefield High School parking lot will soon be the source of a great deal of energy!

This summer, a solar canopy will be installed over the student parking lot, with the goal of reducing energy use and costs. The canopy, which will be funded through Eversource’s Zero Emissions Renewable Energy Credit (ZREC) program, will provide 1.2 megawatts of solar power, allowing the school to purchase energy at a reduced rate.

The project is expected to begin at the end of the school year and continue for the duration of the summer. During construction, parking will be available and scheduled programs and events will proceed as planned.

The high school, which already has a roof solar array in place, is one of seven Ridgefield schools that have been updated with solar energy equipment.

Farmingville, Barlow Mountain, Ridgebury & Scotland Elementary Schools, as well as East Ridge & Scotts Ridge Middle Schools are all currently equipped with roof solar systems. Branchville Elementary is undergoing roof installation now and Veterans Park Elementary is in the pipeline. In addition, Barlow Mountain is scheduled to receive its second solar array this fall.

The schools are not the only town buildings using solar energy. The Venus Building and Yanity Gym have both started generating energy from their solar panels this past January and are expected to save the town an estimated 20K a year.

“Ridgefield is committed to increasing the use of solar energy where ever possible,” commented Jake Muller, Director of Facilities & Purchasing for the Town. “Garages 1 and 2 at the Highway Department are next in line to receive solar panels on their roofs.”

In addition to financial advantages, solar panels help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change. With a long list of benefits and no cost to the town, this venture is a win-win!