East Lyme — Niantic Community Church has installed energy conservation equipment including new windows in the sanctuary, energy-efficient lighting throughout the building, lighting controls, and a 26kW solar PV system, using the Connecticut Green Energy Bank's Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program. 

Financing for 100 percent of the project was made possible through the program, Connecticut Green Bank announced Tuesday. These upgrades are expected to provide $176,260 in energy cost savings and 3,626 mmBTUs in energy savings over the life of the upgrades, the bank said in a news release.

The C-PACE program helps commercial, industrial, non-profit and multi-family property owners access affordable, long-term financing for energy upgrades to their buildings. By enabling building owners to finance qualifying energy efficiency and clean energy improvements through a voluntary assessment on their property tax bill, more comprehensive energy improvements that would otherwise be difficult to afford are made possible, the news release said. Financing for the solar installation came through a solar power purchase agreement, under which the Connecticut Green Bank funded the installation of the solar PV system for no money down with the church receiving a discounted electricity rate for the clean energy generated over 20 years.

“Over the next 20 years, Niantic Community Church will benefit from this program and use clean energy along the way," said Angela Lomanto, a member of the church's Green Team. "There are many members of our church who want the environment to be safer for the coming generations."