The Town of Old Lyme has been selected to participate in a cutting-edge solar program that makes going solar easy and affordable. ‘Solarize Old Lyme’ is part of the ground breaking residential solar program administered by the Connecticut Green Bank (formerly known as the Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority) through a partnership with SmartPower.
In addition to a robust on-the-ground outreach campaign, ‘Solarize Old Lyme’ will also incorporate a unique on-line “solar marketplace.” Similar to various travel web sites such as Kayak or Expedia, www.solarizect.com/OldLyme will become a valuable tool for residents to receive bids from local pre-screened solar installers and request site visits from installers that offer the best prices for their homes.
The ‘Solarize Old Lyme’ program will kick off with a workshop on Thursday, Dec. 4, in the Memorial Town Hall at 7 p.m., where residents can learn about the program and be introduced to the new online solar marketplace that makes going solar convenient and affordable.
During the kick off workshop, residents will also have a chance to learn about the many flexible financing options available, including a no-money-down option. The Town of Old Lyme will join 14 other communities in Phase 5 of Solarize ConnecticutSM with a goal to more than double the amount of solar currently in Old Lyme over the 18-week program. Over 40 communities have already participated in Solarize campaigns, resulting in over 2,000 homeowners signing contracts for solar.
Solarize is an increasingly popular program that increases residential solar through a proven formula. It relies on an on-the-ground outreach campaign that helps educate consumers while at the same time creating awareness and walks the consumer all the way from awareness about solar to actually purchasing it.
Old Lyme’s First Selectman, Bonnie Reemsnyder comments, “I’m very excited that Old Lyme will be participating in such a worthwhile program as Solarize Connecticut. It’s a great opportunity for all our residents, but especially those who have always wanted to “go solar”. The online portal allows easy access to information and estimates for individual homes. Old Lyme has a proud tradition of taking advantage of environmentally friendly programs and I look forward a great partnership with Solarize CT.”
“CT Green Bank 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 the CT Green Bank. “We expect to achieve similar success as we begin the next phase of this innovative program with the participation of Old Lyme’s leaders and their dedicated volunteers.”
Residents who are interested in learning more about ‘Solarize Old Lyme’ are urged to attend the solar workshop on Thursday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m. in Memorial Town Hall in the large Meeting Hall. In order to participate in the benefits offered through the program, residents must sign a contract by April 10, 2015.
Old Lyme’s Solarize campaign has a dedicated group of volunteers led by Jean Dailey ([email protected] or 860.439.2912) and her team comprising John L. Forbis, Suzanne Colten-Carey and George James. Contact any of the team members to find out more about ‘Solarize Old Lyme’ or to be put in touch with other Old Lyme residents, who have already installed solar on their houses.
More information about Solarize Old Lyme can be found by visiting www.solarizect.com/OldLyme.