Seven solar energy systems were installed and are now operating at six of Connecticut’s correctional facilities.

The seven systems will collectively deliver 8.3 megawatts of clean, renewable energy to the correctional facilities, saving the state more than $11 million in energy costs over the lifetime of the panels and reducing carbon emissions by the equivalent of approximately 5,000 metric tons annually.

Correctional facilities are among the largest consumers of energy of all state-owned facilities since they operate daily.

“Installing solar energy systems at correctional facilities is a way that we can deliver cost savings in the operations of state government while also reducing our carbon footprint,” Governor Ned Lamont said in a statement. “Correctional facilities provide a necessary public safety service for our communities, and their around-the-clock operations require a significant amount of energy to function. I am glad that we could get these projects completed and that our correctional facilities can begin taking advantage of the benefits of solar energy.”

The projects are a collaboration between the Connecticut Department of Correction (DOC) and the Connecticut Department of Administrative Services (DAS), along with the Connecticut Green Bank and TotalEnergies, a global integrated energy company. They were financed by the Connecticut Green Bank in partnership with TotalEnergies, which will own, operate and maintain the systems through a power purchase agreement executed by DAS.

The correctional facilities utilizing these solar energy systems include Willard Correctional Institution, Enfield (1 megawatt); Cheshire Correctional Institution, Cheshire (2.4 megawatts); Enfield Correctional Institution, Enfield (181 kilowatts); Manson Youth Institution, Cheshire (2.2. megawatts); Osborn Correctional Institution, Somers (2.2 megawatts); Robinson Correctional Institution A, Enfield (83 kilowatts); and Robinson Correctional Institution B, Enfield (167 kilowatts).