Committee weighs successor solar programs, interconnection fixes and plug‑in solar at marathon “solar day” hearing

The Energy and Technology Committee spent a full public hearing examining a suite of bills to replace and update Connecticut’s residential, non‑residential and shared‑clean‑energy solar programs and to address related issues including interconnection delays, rural siting, plug‑in (“balcony”) solar and agrivoltaics.

Representative Jonathan Steinberg, the committee chair, opened what he called “solar day,” saying the hearing would give members, agencies and industry a chance to refine successor program design before the current tariffs and programs sunset. The Green Bank, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), utilities, consumer advocates, municipal officials and farmers all testified.

Brian Garcia, president and CEO of the Connecticut Green Bank, told the committee the Green Bank has mobilized more than $3 billion into the state’s green economy and urged lawmakers to support HB 53‑40’s successor approach. Garcia pushed two priorities: pairing solar with battery storage to increase rate‑payer value and fixing interconnection. He recommended giving PURA and utilities clearer statutory signals — through performance‑based regulation and priority pathways — to move projects that reduce electric rates up the queue. “Solar plus storage is the future of clean energy in Connecticut,” Garcia said, arguing that pairing the technologies would improve benefits for participants and all rate‑payers.

Katie Dykes, DEEP commissioner, spoke briefly about a separate bill on advanced nuclear (HB 53‑36) and described a community‑first grant program intended to give towns the information they need to consider new nuclear technologies. On solar, Dykes…