First Selectman Tim Herbst could reduce his electric bill to about $20 a month after he pays off the solar panels he just agreed to invest in.
Trying to set an example for other residents, Herbst allowed his home on Fairview Avenue to be evaluated by Brendan Smith, a system designer for Sunlight Solar Energy in New Haven.
The final installation cost to Herbst will be about $11,000, after rebates and tax credits. He's getting 24 250-watt solar panels on his roof and possibly more on his garage. The panels will supply 90 percent of his power. The panels can be financed.
"In a program like this, everybody wins," Herbst said.
"Connecticut has the highest utility rates the United States, second only to Hawaii, and they have a good excuse," he added.
The system will last about 30 to 40 years, Smith said. Installation could begin in February 2014, Smith said.
Sunlight Solar Energy was chosen as the installer for the Solarize Easton-Redding-Trumbull project, which is encouraging residents of those towns to invest in solar energy. In the fall a public forum was held, and in January, an "installation event" will be held.
A customer would open their home to potential solar panel users in an "installation event."
The town has also sent out mailings to residents, said Ed Lavernoich, Trumbull's director of Economic and Community Development.
Erin O'Sullivan, outreach manager, said 521 solar home survey inquires have been requested, 217 surveys completed, 13 contracts signed and 100.54 kilowatts contracted.
A video interview with Herbst is available on www.solarizect.com/trumbull.
Interested residents should request evaluations soon because all contracts under the program must be signed by Feb. 9, 2014. The more people who opt in, the better the savings get for previous customers, O'Sullivan added."There's a real incentive to talk to your neighbors," she said.
Herbst said he would recommend the panels to various elected town officials and his parents, who also live in Trumbull.
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