At Centerbrook Architects, Centerbrook, CT, a rooftop on their office has been turned into a mini electric power plant, with 100 solar photovoltaic (PV) panels converting sunlight directly into non-polluting electricity.

On the roof of the Connecticut Transit Bus Depot is the largest array of solar photovoltaic (PV) cells in Connecticut. The 210 modules cover 3,700 square feet and convert sunlight directly into electricity, generating 23.1 kilowatts (KW), enough to power over 25 homes during the day. During their expected 30-year operating life, the cells will reduce reduce 417 tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, along with many tons of sulfur oxide and nitrous oxide. The impact of removing those pollutants is equivalent to planting 118 acres of trees.

A 23 kilowatt solar photovoltaic (PV) array, one of the largest in Connecticut and one of the easiest for the public to observe, makes the Discovery Museum an important educational stop on Connecticut’s Clean Energy Trail. The PV cells produce enough electricity to power (need comparison). The museum offers related programs for schools and groups, including a demonstration about electricity that includes a portion on renewable energy and a classroom program using solar-powered Legos. Serving more than 100,000 visitors every year, the Discovery Museum is an essential resource for anyone interested in learning more about clean energy.

Atop the 12-foot high roof of the Katrina Mygatt Recycling Center, 66 solar photovoltaic (PV) cells convert sunlight directly into electricity, generating 7.92 kilowatts (KW) of electricity, enough to power more than eight homes. Not only do the cells meet the recycling center’s year-round needs, but most of the electricity they produce is returned to the electricity grid, addressing chronic shortages in heavily populated southwest Connecticut. The PV cells produces no pollution whatever, which is also important in an area classified as a Severe Ozone Non-Attainment Area under the Clean Air Act. For anyone interested in seeing PV cells in operation, the Center’s low roof makes it easy for visitors to view the photovoltaic array. They can also observe the inverters, weather station, and data acquisition system that are also important components of the technology.

With a peak demand of almost 3 MW and an average monthly electric bill of $156,000, the water treatment center exerts a considerable load on the local electrical grid. In fact, the facility uses over 57,000 kWh of electricity each day.

WPCA chose to install a UTC PC25C phosphoric acid type fuel cell fueled by natural gas. Generating 200 kW of electrical power and 900,000 BTU per hour of heat (in the form of low-pressure steam and 140°F water), the fuel cell is able to provide not only the heat needed to process over 10,000 gallons of FOG every day, but also provides about 6% of the electric power for the entire water treatment facility, reducing their utility bill.

A 250 kilowatt (kW) fuel cell provides approximately 25 percent of the electricity needs of the Environmental Science Center near the Peabody Museum. Produced by FuelCell Energy, of Danbury, Connecticut, the cell is fueled by natural gas, but generates electricity without combustion, so there is none of the pollution commonly associated with burning fossil fuels. Heat generated by the fuel cell is used to maintain tight temperature and humidity controls at the facility.

This environmentally friendly 1,500-square-foot building, created by the Granby Education Foundation and regularly used as a classroom for Granby High School and Middle School students, uses geothermal energy for heating. On the roof, 18 solar photovoltaic (PV) panels convert sunlight directly into 2700 kilowatts (kW) of power to meet the center’s routine electricity needs.

At South Windsor High School, a PC25 fuel cell generates 200 kilowatts (KW) of electricity and provides more than 900,000 BTUs of heat per hour, which is used for That byproduct is used for space heating and to preheat boiler return water. While a traditional power system produces as much as 25 pounds of pollutants to generate 1,000 KW hours of electricity, the PC25 produces less than one ounce. The PC25 was manufactured and installed by South Windsor-based UTC Fuel Cells, a division of United Technologies Corporation.

St. Francis Hospital is Connecticut’s first hospital powered, in part, by a fuel cell. The PC25 cell, manufactured by South Windsor-based UTC Fuel Cells, generates 200 kilowatts (KW) of electricity. It reduces dependence on the power grid and provides supplemental power while also significantly reducing air pollution. 

The Talcott Mountain Science Center's Meteorology Lab supports an array of 54 solar photovoltaic panels which produces 9,000 watts peak power.  The Chronobiology & Alternative Energy Center has many passive solar design features, such as south fenestration, summer shading, wind shielding and high thermal mass.  The 68 Sharp U175 panels are supported on the steel superstructure of the upper roof, producing 11,000 peak watts.

Through net metering, excess power is fed to the electrical supply grid and is exchanged for power on cloudy days or at night. Inside you may visit our Alternative Energy and Climate Change Information Center.

The University of Hartford has begun using solar energy panels on the roof of Lincoln Theater to generate electrical power for the building. On May 17, 2006 the University “threw the switch” to mark the beginning of the operation of a fixed array of photovoltaic panels on the roof of Lincoln Theater that will use solar power to generate nearly 10 percent of the building’s electrical power needs.

Sixty-three modules/solar panels (laid out in three groups of 21 panels each) are on the roof of Lincoln Theater. Each 21-panel grouping is three panels deep by seven panels across. It is estimated that the panels will generate about 17,500 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year.