The Norwalk Public Schools Facilities/Planning Committee meeting on March 26, 2025, focused on the future of solar energy projects for local schools, particularly the South North School. The discussion highlighted the city's ongoing commitment to installing solar panels across its school buildings, with previous installations completed at Nanomics and PONUS Jefferson schools, and a planned installation at Cranberry School this summer.

During the meeting, officials discussed the challenges of implementing solar energy at South North School, particularly due to its location within the territory of Subno Electric Works (SNHU), a municipal utility company. Unlike other projects that utilized Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with private solar developers, the unique regulations governing SNHU required a different approach. The city would not be able to enter into a PPA, which typically allows for the installation of solar systems without upfront capital costs, as SNHU would need to act as the developer.

The committee learned that while the solar panels could be installed, the financial implications were concerning. SNHU's rates for electricity were significantly lower than those of other providers, but the proposed solar project would not yield any savings for the city. Instead, the city would be responsible for any operational losses exceeding $25,000 per year, which raised doubts about the project's viability.

After thorough discussions, the committee concluded that proceeding with the solar project at South North School would not be financially prudent. The consensus was that the structure of the proposed solar energy relationship with SNHU did not align with the city's financial interests, leading to a recommendation against moving forward with the project. This decision reflects the city's commitment to responsible financial management while exploring sustainable energy solutions for its schools.