The Town of Mansfield recently expanded its use of on-site renewable energy. As of December 20, 2010, four more municipal buildings were added to the count of operating photovoltaic systems on Mansfield's rooftops. The first 83 kilowatt (kW) solar system was placed on the Mansfield Community Center's roof in 2008 supplying about a third of the Center's electrical needs. E.O. Smith High School was the second building to be awarded a free 3 kilowatt photovoltaic system through the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund. The Mansfield Library, Mansfield Senior Center, Fire Station #107 (on Route 32) and Fire Station #307 (on Route 195 by the Altnaveigh Restaurant) are the recipients of the newest solar installations. The Town has contracted with the company, DCS Energy. Thanks to state and federal grants, DCS Energy has been able to offer the solar systems to the Town for free. Additionally, the electrical power generated from the panels will also be free. "Each solar panel installed moves the Town of Mansfield closer to our vision of becoming a truly sustainable community", says Mansfield Town Manager, Matt Hart. "We are very fortunate to be able to expand our solar panel program to four additional municipal buildings."
The Library has a 4.5 kW system, the Senior Center has an 8 kW system, Fire Station #107 has a 4.5 kW system and Fire Station #307 has a 6 kW system. To gauge the size of these systems, a "typical" household would need a 7 kW system to power all its electrical needs. "Although these are small photovoltaic systems, we estimate that they will supply each building with about a third of its electrical energy and reduce our electric bills by a total of $600 per month," states Director of Facilities Management, Bill Hammon.
For more information about the solar systems, contact Bill Hammon, Director of Facilities Management at 860-429-3326.
This press release was submitted by Virginia Walton, Mansfield Recycling Coordinator, 860-429-3333, waltonvd@mansfieldct.org
