Clean energy is energy generated from natural resources—such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides and geothermal heat—which are renewable (naturally replenished). Renewable energy technologies include solar power, wind power, hydroelectricity, micro hydro, biomass and biofuels.

Cheshirehas joined the 20% by 2010 campaign begun by SmartPower, a non-profit organization. The mission is to increase the use of renewable energies with a goal set for communities to use clean energy for 20% of their energy needs by 2010. Reaching this goal will require participation of residents.

How do I get clean energy?

Cheshire residents can get clean energy from two sources. Community Energy and Sterling Planet both generate energy through renewable resources, primarily wind and small hydroelectric power. Residents who receive their electricity from CL&P or UI can choose either Community or Sterling Planet.

How much does clean energy cost?

Purchasing 100% clean energy through Sterling Planet or Community Energy costs an additional 1.15¢ or 1.3¢ per kilowatt-hour (kWh), respectively. The standard home consumes about 700 kWh per month, so the increase on you electricity bill will be about $9 per month. Both Sterling and Community also offer a 50% option that costs half as much.

How does it work?

When you sign up for clean energy, an amount of electricity generated from renewable resources will replace electricity generated from traditional resources (coal, nuclear, oil, natural gas) on the electric system. The amount of renewable energy delivered to the electric system will be equal to the amount of electricity that you use. This does not mean that the electricity that comes into your house is the same electricty that was generated from a wind farm or hydroelectric plant. Once delivered to the system, energy cannot be sent to a specific location.

Benefits for Cheshire

The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund is giving away solar panels to communities whose residents have chosen to use clean energy. Currently, 229 households in Cheshire have chosen to use clean energy and the town has received 5 kW of solar panels. The panels are currently being installed on the roof of the library.