Branford selectmen authorize 20-year solar agreements for high school and police station, subject to P&Z review

The Branford Board of Selectmen on May 20 authorized the town to pursue rooftop and ground-mounted solar installations at Branford High School and the Branford Police Department through Power Purchase and License Agreements with affiliates of the Connecticut Green Bank.

The board voted unanimously after Selectman Jeffrey E. Vailette moved to waive the requirement for advertising and bidding and to approve the agreements; Selectman Raymond Dunbar seconded and the board approved an amendment adding pending review and approval by the Planning & Zoning Commission.

The resolution passed by the board authorizes the municipality, acting through the First Selectman, to enter into an Offtake Agreement under which the seller will install renewable energy systems and sell the electricity generated to the town for a period of 20 years. The resolution lists the project locations as Branford High School, 185 E. Main St., and the Branford Police Department, 33 Laurel St.

First Selectman Joshua Brooks and the board emphasized that the document before them is a substantive form subject to final modification and negotiation and includes delegations to the First Selectman to execute the Offtake Agreement and related documents as necessary.

Next steps include Planning & Zoning review and final negotiations with the Connecticut Green Bank or its affiliate; if approved, the agreements will commit the town to a two-decade offtake arrangement for electricity generated at the two municipal sites.