The Connecticut Green Bank recently announced the honorees of its annual Green Bank Awards, recognizing outstanding partners, contractors, municipalities, investors, and community organizations that helped accelerate clean energy adoption and climate solutions across the state in 2025.
Now in its eleventh year, the annual awards celebrate the diverse network of stakeholders whose leadership and collaboration continue to drive economic opportunity, energy affordability, and environmental progress in Connecticut.
"Each year, our awards reflect the strength and diversity of the partnerships that make Connecticut's green economy growth possible," said Bryan Garcia, President and CEO of the Connecticut Green Bank. "The 2026 awardees represent innovation, commitment, and impact from expanding solar and energy efficiency in homes and buildings and turning organic waste into food for farmers to advancing resilience, infrastructure, and community-led climate action. We are proud to recognize their leadership and grateful for their partnership."
Chair's Award: Matthew Ranelli
Green Bank Board Chair Lonnie Reed presented the Chair's Award to Matthew Ranelli, a former Board member who has dedicated over two decades of public service to advancing Connecticut's clean energy mission through leadership roles with the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund and the Connecticut Green Bank. Over that time, Matt contributed expertise in renewable energy, environmental, and land use law to strengthen the Green Bank's impactful work across sectors and diverse communities.
President's Award: Town of Branford
Bryan Garcia presented the President's Award to a contingent of Branford leaders on behalf of the Town of Branford. Branford has a long-standing relationship working with the Green Bank on a number of projects. For example, through the Green Bank's Solar MAP+ process, solar projects have been successfully developed and installed at Tisko Elementary School and Murphy Elementary School, and additional projects are in development at three other municipal sites. The Green Bank has also been working closely with the Board of Education on their efforts to electrify their school bus fleet. Also, seven Branford businesses closed C-PACE solar transactions in 2025.
Green Star Award: Earthlight Technologies in Ellington
Earthlight received special recognition for their outstanding efforts across multiple Green Bank programs in 2025. Earthlight was a top performer in the Smart-E loan program, which serves homeowners, and was an important contributor to the Green Bank's commercial and affordable multifamily solar offerings. Earthlight was also a top performer in Energy Storage Solutions, serving both residential and commercial customers. Earthlight is a perennial leader in Connecticut's green economy and a great partner.
Building Solutions Awards
The Building Solutions Awards honor organizations advancing energy efficiency, clean energy, and innovative financing in commercial, nonprofit, and multifamily buildings.
Outstanding Project: Easterseals Capital Region and Eastern Connecticut in Windsor
Easterseals was recognized as an outstanding project for their use of Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) to finance a rooftop solar system and advanced lighting controls that are projected to save the organization approximately $1.3 million in energy cost savings over the useful life of the equipment. Also recognized for this project were Facility Solutions Group of Oxford and Sync Renewables of Portland for their work installing the upgrades.
Building Solutions Top Performer: Efficient Lighting Consultants of Newtown
Active in the program since 2021, Efficient Lighting Consultants, Inc., of Newtown, was recognized as the contractor that closed the most C-PACE projects for the year.
Accelerating Building Solutions: SAVKAT
SAVKAT of Bristol, an installer of solar and battery energy storage systems, received an award honoring their consistent efforts to expand their business by using Green Bank programs for commercial properties.
Solar MAP+ Awards
The Green Bank's Solar Marketplace Assistance Program (MAP+) makes it easier for multifamily housing providers, municipalities, and state agencies to add solar and battery storage to their properties by providing support that simplifies every step of the process.
Outstanding Partner: Connecticut Department of Administrative Services
The Connecticut Department of Administrative Services has been a key leader in advancing solar energy adoption across state government. As Solar MAP+ has supported projects at state properties including facilities operated by the Department of Correction and the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS) DAS has been a consistent and valued partner in making these efforts possible. The agency has played a critical role in identifying high-potential project sites, connecting state agencies with Green Bank resources, and helping coordinate solar development across the state portfolio. Their dedication to sustainability has noticeably moved the needle in advancing the state's clean energy adoption goals.
Solar MAP+ Outstanding Project: Quarry Heights in Portland
After Solar MAP+ expanded to serve affordable multifamily properties in 2024, the Portland Housing Authority took the initiative to bring the energy saving benefits to their residents at Quarry Heights. By advancing a solar project at Quarry Heights, the Authority demonstrated how clean energy can directly benefit residents while strengthening community sustainability. The 164 kW solar installation will deliver not only clean, renewable power but also more than $12,000 in energy bill savings for its 70 tenants in the first year alone.
Solar MAP+ Trailblazer Award: New Horizons
New Horizons is being recognized with the Trailblazer Award for completing the first solar loan for an affordable multifamily property in Unionville. By leveraging this new financing product, the organization demonstrated the vision and sophistication needed to maximize the economic benefits of on-site solar for affordable housing. The project one of the largest in the sector will feature a 1,073 kW solar installation that will deliver significant clean energy while generating more than $1 million in facility upgrades to benefit its residents. By pioneering this approach, New Horizons has helped chart a path for other affordable housing providers to unlock the financial and sustainability benefits of solar.
Energy Storage Solutions Awards
These awards recognize leadership in the Energy Storage Solutions program for working to deploy batteries that strengthen grid resilience and customer reliability.
Top Performer: Scale Microgrids
Scale Microgrids has quickly become a valued stakeholder in Energy Storage Solutions since their entrance as an eligible contractor and third-party owner in 2024. Scale has developed 24 projects for a total of over 63 MW and has taken ownership of an additional 20 MW developed by other eligible contractors.
Top Newcomer: Kinsley Energy Systems of East Granby
Kinsley Energy Systems joined Energy Storage Solutions early in 2025 and has since become an active and valued participant in the program. In their first year as an Eligible Contractor, Kinsley developed two commercial battery energy storage systems totaling 4.19 MW of new capacity - including a 300 kW project that is expected to be online this year.
Outstanding Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM): FranklinWH
FranklinWH has become the most popular choice in residential battery equipment among Energy Storage Solutions customers. In 2025, 265 projects were approved using FranklinWH batteries for a total of 5.1 MW - over 62% of the residential capacity approved. In addition to their market share, FranklinWH was also a top performer in Energy Storage Solutions' Passive and Active Dispatch programs in 2025. FranklinWH's enrolled battery systems showed excellent response to Active Dispatch events, earning their customers an average of $1,476 in Performance Incentives in Summer 2025.
Environmental Infrastructure Awards
Outstanding Project: Bright Feeds in Berlin
In 2025, the Green Bank supported Bright Feeds, a New England-based company that rescues and upcycles surplus waste into nutrient-optimized animal feed, with financing to help purchase and install a thermal oxidizer at their Berlin facility, ensuring compliance with emissions standards and enabling the company to continue scaling operations. By converting surplus food into animal feed, Bright Feeds helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and decreases reliance on traditional feed crops.
Outstanding Partner: PT Partners in Bridgeport
Working with the Trust for Public Land in 2025, PT Partners led on-site data collection to support Bridgeport's first ParkScore®, an assessment and condition analysis of the quality and accessibility of the city's park system. The PT Partners team and residents of Bridgeport's public housing surveyed more than 60 parks to support the analysis which will be released in April 2026.
Investment Solutions Awards
These awards recognize financial institutions and investment partners whose leadership expands access to capital for clean energy and climate solutions.
Outstanding Partner: DownEast Renewable Energy, LLC
The team at DownEast has exemplified the Green Bank's mission to accelerate the deployment of green energy in Connecticut. With access to Green Bank financing, DownEast has already brought the benefits of solar energy to more than a dozen commercial and nonprofit buildings owners with a strong pipeline of additional projects in the works.
Outstanding Partner: Ramirez & Co., Inc.
In summer 2025, Ramirez & Co was the lead underwriter on the third issuance of Green Liberty Bonds, which sold out nearly $19 million in bonds over two days to retail and institutional investors. Through the leadership of the Ramirez team, the Green Bank continued to successfully bring verified climate bonds investment opportunities to the market.
Outstanding Partner: Liberty Bank
Liberty Bank was recognized for their outstanding partnership in fuel cell project finance including a $13 million facility for two fuel cell projects in Derby. The two Derby projects include a 14-megawatt fuel cell park, the second largest in the country.
Outreach & Community Leaders Awards
The Outreach Awards celebrate community organizations, municipalities, and regional leaders advancing local climate action and clean energy adoption.
Outstanding Community Organization: Interreligious Eco-Justice Network (IREJN)
IREJN has shown consistent dedication in bringing energy efficiency, resilience, and renewable energy resources to religious institutions across Connecticut. From training and enrolling houses of worship in the Small Business Energy Advantage Program, to hosting webinars and workshops on financing or battery storage on the latest developments in programs, IREJN has helped religious institutions and their communities across Connecticut become more sustainable.
Outstanding Municipal Partner: City of New Haven
The City of New Haven is honored for its continued stewardship of Green Bank programs and products, fostering trusted relationships and consistently championing green solutions. Their commitment reflects a long-standing dedication to environmental progress and community resilience.
Outstanding Municipal Partner: City of Stamford
The City of Stamford is recognized for its strong engagement with the Municipal Investment Fund and its leadership in exploring public-private partnerships that advance its comprehensive plan and climate goals. Their proactive approach demonstrates how municipalities can creatively leverage financing tools to accelerate community-wide sustainability.
Outstanding Municipal Partner: Town of Windsor
The Town of Windsor is recognized for their proactive and consistent work to connect property owners with green financing programs such as Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) financing. Windsor's Economic Development team has consistently educated property owners about C-PACE financing and connected them with technical assistance from the Green Bank. In 2025, Windsor was the first municipality to use no-cost technical assistance offered by Sustainable CT to develop a C-PACE workshop for property owners. Their leadership ensures that Windsor's property owners have access to affordable, long-term capital to modernize their properties and reduce energy costs.
Outstanding Leadership: South Central Regional Council of Governments
South Central Regional Council of Governments is celebrated for being the first COG to establish monthly workshops that bring Connecticut Green Bank programs and products directly to municipal leadership. Their initiative sets a new standard for regional collaboration and climate-forward capacity building.
Outstanding Leadership: Capitol Region Council of Governments
The Capital Region Council of Governments is recognized for its role as a powerful connector across community and municipal leadership, supporting economic development while advancing Green Bank programs and products throughout the region. Their stewardship strengthens local impact and broadens access to sustainable solutions.
Outstanding Community Organization: Third Act Connecticut
Third Act Connecticut is awarded for weaving and creating space for community around Sun Day 2025, a day of action celebrating clean energy in September, and for educating residents and municipal leaders about Green Bank programs and products.
Home Solutions Awards
The Home Solutions Awards recognize contractors participating in the Smart-E Loan program that deliver solar, HVAC, and other improvements to help Connecticut homeowners reduce energy costs and carbon emissions or create more resilient properties.
Top Solar
- Green Power Energy, LLC (Durham)
- Premier Improvements, LLC (West Hartford)
- Helio Solar LLC (Trumbull)
- SAVKAT (Bristol)
- EcoSmart Home Services (East Berlin)
Top HVAC
- Homestead Comfort (Ellington)
- Ideal Mechanical Services (Tolland)
- Absolute Air Services LLC (Portland)
- Glasco Heating & Air Conditioning Inc (South Windsor)
- R&W Heating Energy Solutions LLC (Salem)
Accelerating Smart-E
- American Dry Basement Systems, LLC (Brookfield)
- Brookfield Septic (Brookfield)
- Earth Smart Solar (Amston)
About the Connecticut Green Bank
The Connecticut Green Bank was established by the Connecticut General Assembly in 2011 as the nation's first state-level green bank and has since supported the creation of nearly 30,000 green jobs in the state, while reducing the energy cost burden on over 71,000 families, businesses, and nonprofits. The Green Bank's vision is a planet protected by the love of humanity and its mission is to confront climate change by increasing and accelerating investment into Connecticut's green economy to create more resilient, healthier, and equitable communities. This is accomplished by leveraging limited public resources to scale-up and mobilize private capital investment into Connecticut. In 2017, the Connecticut Green Bank received the Innovations in American Government Award from the Harvard Kennedy School Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation for their "Sparking the Green Bank Movement" entry. In 2021, the Green Bank's model was expanded to include new areas of environmental infrastructure, related to climate adaptation and resiliency, land conservation, parks and recreation, agriculture, water, waste and recycling, and environmental markets, including carbon offsets and ecosystem services. To date, the Green Bank has mobilized more than $3 billion into the State's green economy. This has reduced the energy costs for thousands of families and businesses, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change and worsen public health. Learn more at www.ctgreenbank.com.
