Awards
Top performing commercial and residential green energy contractors and other stakeholders recognized for their contributions to our communities
In recognition of their contributions to the deployment of clean energy and demonstrated leadership in their industries in 2021, the Connecticut Green Bank announced the honorees of its seventh annual awards. The awards recognize key partners in the dedicated network of contractors, developers, lending partners, community leaders, and home and building owners who have supported the Green Bank in the creation of more than 25,600 job years and over 60,000 clean energy projects since 2012.
The 2021 awards recognize 27 contractors offering Green Bank Home Solutions or Building Solutions programs and performing at a high level, developing outstanding projects, and supporting Green Bank partnerships.
Award Category
Building Solutions
2021
Redevelopment project at One Park Road in West Hartford
This project is an outstanding example of the ability of Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) financing to support the redevelopment of historic properties. This $70 million project received $13.7 million in C-PACE financing from CastleGreen Finance, LLC, supporting the conversion of a 135-year-old convent to a 292-unit multifamily housing complex while allowing the Sisters of St. Joseph of Chambéry to remain in their home. The project, developed by Lex-Laz West Hartford, LLC, an affiliate of Lexington Partners LLC, was also made possible by Martin Kenny and Alan Lazowski, the Town of West Hartford, and Liberty Bank. The project is the largest C-PACE project closed in Connecticut to date.
2021
Solar installation at Ridgefield High School
The Green Bank honors Con Edison Solutions and the Ridgefield Board of Education for their 319.95 kW solar installation at Ridgefield High School. The solar system was installed through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), is producing electricity, and is estimated to help Ridgefield achieve more than $450,000 in savings over the 20-year term. This is the fourth project the Town of Ridgefield has developed in partnership with the Green Bank.
Award Category
Home Solutions
2021
Top Newcomer - Green Power Energy
In only their second year in the Residential Solar Investment Program (RSIP), Green Power Energy installed more than 1 megawatt (MW) of solar PV systems in 2021 through the program. Since entering the state’s residential market in 2020, they have quickly grown into one of the highest-volume residential solar PV contractors in Connecticut. Green Power Energy recently opened a Connecticut location in Durham with a staff of 15. Since 2020, Green Power Energy has installed 212 projects for 2.5 MW of capacity.
2021
Top Local Performer - Earthlight
Connecticut-based installer Earthlight had more than a megawatt of solar PV approved in 2021 through the RSIP. With 2.4 MW, Ellington-based Earthlight has demonstrated that local installers are continuing to grow their business with residential solar. Earthlight has participated in the RSIP since 2013 and has grown into one of Connecticut’s largest local installers of residential solar PV, installing 1,380 projects for 13.6 MW of capacity.
Home Solutions
Smart-E Loan Top Performers
For 2021, the Green Bank is recognizing 24 Smart-E Loan Top Performers. In 2021, the Top Performers helped over 450 families across Connecticut make home energy improvements, allowing them to save money, reduce their carbon footprint, and live more comfortably in their homes. The Smart-E Loan offers homeowners no-money-down, low-interest financing for more than 40 qualifying projects that reduce energy use and lower utility costs.
In partnership with nine participating local lenders, the Top Performers’ projects surpassed $91 million in closed Smart-E Loans. Financed projects included insulation and window upgrades, high-efficiency heating and cooling solutions, rooftop solar PV and battery storage systems, health and safety improvements, and more.
The 2021 Top Performers
- 20/20 Air Mechanical (New Milford)
- Absolute Air Services LLC (Portland)*
- Advanced Heating and Air Conditioning (South Windsor)
- Aiello Home Services LLC (Windsor Locks)
- Benvenuti Oil (Waterford)*
- Busy Bee Services (Burlington)
- Campbell Cooling LLC (Newington)
- Cello Heating and Air Conditioning (Bridgeport)
- Deitch Energy LLC (Hartford)
- Ductworks HVAC Services (Southington)
- Energy Unlimited, LLC (Bolton)*
- Glasco Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. (South Windsor)*
- Highland Window Co. (West Hartford)*
- Home Comfort Heating and Cooling Solutions, LLC (East Haven)*
- Homestead Fuel, Inc. (Ellington)*
- Link Mechanical Services Inc. (New Britain)*
- Nutmeg Mechanical Services, Inc. (Manchester)*
- Omni Mechanical Services (South Windsor)
- R&W Heating Energy Solutions LLC (Salem)*
- Ralph Mann & Sons Inc. (Ansonia)*
- Ryan F. Murphy Heating & Cooling LLC (New Milford)*
- Service Stars (Danbury)
- SolvIt, Inc. (Plainville)*
- Viglione Heating & Cooling Inc. (East Haven)*
* denotes 2020 Top Performer recognition.