News
Governor Rell celebrates new solar array at Crystal Rock bottling plant in Watertown
By Governor Rell's office
Aug 6, 2008 - 10:54:48 AM

Governor M. Jodi Rell today celebrated the installation of a new solar panel system at the Crystal Rock LLC bottling plant in Watertown, a 300kW photovoltaic array that is expected to supply more than a quarter of the company’s power needs and sell excess power to the state’s electric grid at peak demand periods.

Governor Rell called the system of more than 1,660 solar panels a victory for the company, ratepayers and the environment.

“For the company, it is a ‘win-win’ on both the bottom line and its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint – this array will reduce carbon emissions by 124 metric tons a year,” Governor Rell said. “That means far fewer greenhouse gases in our air.

“For ratepayers, this project means an extra ‘jolt’ of electric power when we need it,” the Governor added. “These solar panels are part of a statewide network of small power plants of all kinds that bolster Connecticut’s electric system. This network – called distributed generation – provides power when demand is at its highest. This single installation is expected to provide more than 300,000 kilo-watts of power a year, and when Crystal Rock doesn’t need it we can draw on it – meaning we can save on large, expensive, stand-alone power plants and save on buying expensive ‘imported’ power at peak demand times.

“Of course, it’s also a ‘win’ for Connecticut’s environment,” Governor Rell added. “I have committed our state to an ever-increasing use of renewable resources, not only because we have to reduce our dependence on imported oil but because it’s simply good environmental policy. And it is a victory for the economic future of our state – a ‘win’ that all of us have a stake in securing.”

The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF), which is funded by electric ratepayers, contributed a $1.3 million grant toward the $2.2 million project.

Governor Rell noted that the Crystal Rock announcement comes one day short of a year after she celebrated a similar announcement at the headquarters of Bigelow Teas in Fairfield – a project that was also supported by CCEF.

“These are the kinds of victories we need as we work our way through the current spike in energy prices,” the Governor said.

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