Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at an 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Solar for All

Project SunBridge

On April 22, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) with a $62.45 million grant under its Solar for All initiative, including $400,000 of in kind services from EPA in the form of technical assistance.

This competitive grant program through the EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund is aimed at expanding solar energy investment in "low-income and disadvantaged communities," as defined by the EPA. The grant competition is funded by President Joe Biden’s Investing in America agenda as part of the Inflation Reduction Act.

Connecticut’s grant application was led by DEEP in close collaboration with the Connecticut Green Bank, the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, the Connecticut Department of Housing, the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, and others, making up the Connecticut Consortium. The consortium’s application is called, “Project SunBridge: Connecting Communities to a Solar Future.”

Project SunBridge will reach thousands of households, with a priority focus on multi-family affordable housing units. The project is designed to overcome current barriers for low-income and disadvantaged communities to access solar and storage energy technologies through a combination of financial and technical assistance.

Through greater access to distributed solar and storage installations, Project SunBridge aims to achieve a minimum household energy savings of 20% for all participants, and will further help Connecticut’s goal of a zero-carbon electric sector by 2040, as established by Public Act 22-5.

How will these funds be deployed?

DEEP expects to flow much of the funding through existing incentive programs in Connecticut such as the Residential Renewable Energy Solutions and Energy Storage Solutions programs, in a way that furthers their reach and impact. This funding is only available to low-income residents and will focus on expanding access to solar for multifamily affordable housing.

If you are interested in solar and storage for your home, existing programs include the Residential Renewable Energy Solutions Program, the Energy Storage Solutions Program, and offerings from the Connecticut Green Bank, including Smart-E residential loans. 

Where can I learn more?

On August 12, 2024, DEEP held a Project SunBridge Kick-Off Meeting. The meeting included an overview of the Solar for All competition, details about Connecticut’s Project SunBridge application, an explanation of existing programs for single-family and multi-family homes, DEEP facilitated discussions about the gaps and barriers that the Solar for All funding could address, a preview of some technical assistance that Project SunBridge may be able to provide and some stakeholder presentations related to Connecticut’s implementation of the Solar for All funding.

You can view a recording of the meeting HERE.

A copy of the presentation from the meeting is available HERE.

How can I get involved?

DEEP seeks stakeholder input into the development of an equitable and inclusive program design. Everyone is welcome to provide written comments in response to the Request for Information!

On July 22, 2024, DEEP issued a Notice of Public Meeting and Request for Information. More details on the funding timeline, Project SunBridge application, upcoming opportunities for community and stakeholder engagement, and questions for stakeholders and community members can be found in the Notice of Public Meeting and Request for Information.

  • The deadline for written comments is August 27, 2024, at 4:00 PM.

This page will be updated regularly to provide information on additional engagement opportunities. 

If you would like to stay updated about these engagement opportunities, please email DEEP.EnergyBureau@ct.gov to be added to our Project SunBridge email distribution list.