Derby Aldermen voted last month to allow a private company to install solar panels on the city’s long-capped former landfill off Pine Street in east Derby.
The electricity generated from the panels will save the city money on its annual electricity bills, officials said.
The deal is expected to save Derby about $1 million on electricity costs over 15 years.
Aldermen gave permission to Jordan Energy to use the land during a legislative meeting Sept. 25.
Connecticut state officials and regulators have been pushing — in terms of legislation — for the development of clean, renewable energy projects.
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The goal is to spur clean energy companies — such as Jordan Energy, founded in 2007 and based in Troy, N.Y. — to invest in the state’s economy. At the same time, the solar panels are designed to save cities money by using the sun for energy.
Under the state’s “ZREC” (zero-emissions) and “LREC” (low-emissions) renewable energy programs, clean energy companies submit competitive project bids to the state’s electrical giants — Connecticut Light and Power and United Illuminating, the companies that fund the program.
The city’s contract with Jordan Energy was vetted both by city lawyers and the Aldermen themselves, who asked a long series of questions at the Sept. 25 meeting, and rewrote a small portion of the agreement. Barbara DeGennaro, the board’s president, voted against the agreement, meeting minutes show.
The city’s contract with Jordan runs 25 years. Jordan is responsible for maintenance and taking the panels away once the contract runs out.
The city has not yet announced a timetable for the installation of the solar panels.
