Right now, the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority is conducting a study of Connecticut’s solar programs to identify areas for improvement across all programs: residential, nonresidential, and shared solar. The nonresidential and shared solar programs will sunset at the end of 2025, and the study will aid lawmakers in their reauthorization. The study will be informed by comments and technical meetings throughout 2025, and then will be delivered to the legislature early next year for action in the 2026 legislative session.

 

You can help shape the direction of solar in Connecticut by sending in your comments about solar power to PURA. Comments are due on May 9, 2025. Read on to learn more about the importance of solar to Connecticut’s clean and lower cost energy future, the status of solar in our state, and how to submit your comments. 

 

1. The Importance of Solar to Connecticut’s Clean & Lower Cost Energy Future

A transition away from fossil fuels to renewable energy is necessary to address climate change, reduce air pollution, and put Connecticut on a pathway to lower costs. Connecticut state statute mandates that electricity supply must be 100% zero-carbon by 2040, and that greenhouse gas emissions be reduced by 45% below 2001 levels by 2030 and 80% by 2050. 

 

Our state is over-reliant on methane gas and nuclear power to produce electricity. To move away from these costly sources of electricity, Connecticut must look to a variety of solutions including energy efficiency, demand response, wind power, battery storage and, of course, solar. 

 

There’s been great interest in solar among residents, businesses, schools, houses of worship and communities.

 

For all of these reasons, more effective solar programs are critical. 

 

2. The Status of Solar in Connecticut

Connecticut produced 4.11%  of its electricity from solar, with 1,666 MW installed. PURA recently released the 2024 Clean & Renewable Energy Report that explains the current and legacy solar programs, and reports on the details of the programs:

 

Residential solar: Residential installations make up over half of Connecticut’s total solar deployment. PURA reports that cumulative residential solar installations under its programs reached 764 MW by September 2024. This figure includes the current residential solar program (RRES) and the previous program (RSIP), which have been in place since 2012. The RSIP program had a goal of deploying 350 MW of solar over 10 years, which it achieved. The current RRES program has a goal of 50 - 60 MW per year which has been easily exceeded with an average annual deployment of about 96 MW per year between 2022 and 2024. In addition to the solar that was deployed using these programs, some was also deployed without using the program. Analysis by the Connecticut Green Bank in 2016 shows potential for between 3,800 and 6,500 MW of residential rooftop solar.

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Nonresidential solar: The nonresidential (NRES) program has been up and running for 4 years, and is the successor to the state’s Low and Zero Emissions Renewable Energy Credit (LREC/ZREC) and Virtual Net Metering (VNM) programs for nonresidential customers. In total, these programs have resulted in the deployment of 529 MW, the majority which is solar, however, this total also includes fuel cells powered by methane gas and anaerobic digestion. 

Demand for the nonresidential program is high — all categories received more bids than the available capacity last year.

 

Shared solar: Over the 5 years of the Shared Clean Energy Facilities (SCEF) program’s existence, 180 MW was available, and 169.22 MW of projects were selected over that time period. So far only 9.92 MW has actually been deployed. Many projects were cancelled after being selected. The SCEF program is open to Class I renewables; the 9.92 MW also includes about 2 MW in fuel cells that use methane gas as a feedstock.

 

3. Areas of improvement identified by Sierra Club Connecticut

Across all of Connecticut’s solar programs, Sierra Club sees opportunities for improvement and growth that will help save consumers money, reduce pollution, and reduce load on the grid. 

 

Sierra Club advocates for Connecticut to install and connect as much solar as possible on rooftops, businesses and parking lots. Siting solar in these locations avoids the need to use farmland and open space by prioritizing existing structures and already disturbed land.We recommend designing solar programs to be a crucial part of the transition away from fossil fuels and to meet our state’s statutory mandate for 100% zero-carbon electricity supply by 2040.  

 

Residential solar: Sierra Club recommends setting more robust targets that will help us reach a minimum of 3,800 MW of residential rooftop solar by 2040. A target of 200 MW per year, double the current experience, would add another 1,000 MW by 2030, and reach the 3,800 MW target by 2040 when Connecticut must achieve 100% zero-carbon electricity. We recommend retaining the goal of 40% of program benefits extending to low-income residents. We also recommend ensuring deployment across single-family, multi-family 2-4 units, and multi-family 5+ units, at a minimum, matching the percentage of each type of housing. 

 

Nonresidential: There is a high demand for nonresidential solar in Connecticut. Every year there are proposed projects that are rejected due to the MW cap on the nonresidential program. There are also non-renewable fuel cell projects that have been selected. Sierra Club recommends a price cap rather than a MW cap. We also recommend removing non-renewables including fuel cells from participating in this program. The addition of a Schools category is a welcome step. In addition, we suggest adding a State Project Category. The additions of these categories can free up space for businesses, houses of worship, municipal and community projects. We also support the adder for solar canopies, and recommend its continuation. 

 

Shared solar: Community solar in neighboring states is delivering choice and savings for residents. The Sierra Club is concerned that Connecticut’s shared solar program is not delivering projects as expected and is not succeeding in providing options for tenants and others who lack access to solar. In Massachusetts, residents can easily look up and find a community solar program, subscribe, and receive a discount on their electricity bill. Like the nonresidential program, there are also non-renewable fuel cell projects that have been selected. We recommend removing non-renewables including fuel cells from participating in this program.

 

4. How to submit your comments

PURA has asked for comments on the programs, and has asked a number of specific questions about the design of these programs. See the notice here. 

 

Your comments are needed. Let PURA know your thoughts on the future of solar in Connecticut. Your comments can answer the specific questions, or they can be more high level. 

 

Comments are due by 4 p.m. on May 9, 2025. Send your comments to PURA.ExecutiveSecretary@ct.gov, with Docket 25-02-14 in the subject line.

 

Sierra Club Connecticut and PACE will host an online Q & A session on Tuesday, May 6 at 5 p.m. to learn more and help you prepare for your comments. Sign up here.

 

Thank you for your advocacy!

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Samantha Dynowski is State Director of Sierra Club Connecticut.

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References

1. State Solar Map, Solar Energy Industry Association

2. 2024 Clean & Renewable Energy Report, February 19, 2025, CT Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, page 41

3. State Solar Map, Solar Energy Industry Association

4. 2024 Clean & Renewable Energy Report, February 19, 2025, CT Public Utilities Regulatory Authority

5. https://www.ctgreenbank.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Total_Addressable_Market_CT_Final.pdf

6. 2024 Clean & Renewable Energy Report, February 19, 2025, CT Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, page 40