Hartford Business Journal

www.HartfordBusiness.com • January 8, 2018 • Hartford Business Journal 21 OTHER VOICES Why utility-scale solar works for Connecticut By Francis Pullaro C onnecticut has some of the highest electricity rates in the nation, and in January they will increase even further. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) will soon release the final version of its three- year Comprehensive Energy Strategy, which aims to create a cheaper, cleaner, more reliable en- ergy future for our state's residents and businesses. A major com- ponent of this plan relies on the cost-effectiveness of utility-scale solar energy projects to help the state and region transition to low-cost, stably priced renewable energy. In 2016, DEEP selected multiple utility- scale solar energy projects across the state as part of competitive solicitations to pro- vide clean, affordable and reliable energy to local utilities. These projects — now in various stages of development — are the least-cost form of solar electricity and will bring clean energy, economic development and lower energy prices to Connecticut. Solar projects of this scope also provide other positive economic impacts to host communities, including much needed new tax revenue streams, which often exceed hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. Utility-scale solar does not need services or other forms of investment from the municipality. Larger solar projects also create many short-term construction jobs and several full-time positions once the projects are operational. Land payments for utility-scale so- lar help farmers diversify their revenue stream and alleviate the pressure to sell off the land, which may be slated for more permanent forms of development. Connecticut has many com- peting land uses, and residential and commercial development take up a large propor- tion of the state's developable land. By contrast, solar is a temporary use of land; unlike other types of develop- ment, site reclama- tion can occur as solar projects come offline and removed from the land. Further, solar projects are held to higher standards of regulatory approval than other types of more intensive development; de- velopers avoid and mitigate environmental and aesthetic impacts. Connecticut, and the New England region, needs new energy generation facilities. According to the recent 2017 Regional System Plan (RSP17) from ISO New England Inc. — the operator of the New England power system and whole- sale electricity markets — from 2010 to summer 2020, power plant retirements will total approximately 4,800 megawatts. The report notes that older oil- and coal- fired and nuclear generators are at risk of retirement due to economic and environmental pressures. As these power sources come of- fline, Connecticut's current utility-scale solar portfolio will play a major role in achieving the hybrid grid necessary to ensure reliable and cost-effective power for our state and beyond in the years to come. ISO's report notes that Connecticut and southern New England remain the most reliable and economical place for this type of resource development to achieve the hybrid grid vision. Connecticut's residents and businesses should applaud DEEP and the state's vision when it comes to utility-scale solar energy projects. We won't be able to achieve im- portant carbon reduction goals and keep our energy costs down without it. Francis Pullaro is the executive director of RENEW Northeast, a nonprofit association uniting environmental advocates and the renewable energy industry. HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM POLL LAST WEEK'S POLL RESULT: Francis Pullaro NEXT WEEK'S POLL: Can an independent candidate win this year's governor's race? To vote, go online to hartfordbusiness.com BIZ BOOKS Eight principles for starting a business after age 40 By Jim Pawlak "Late-Blooming Entre- preneurs: 8 Principles for Starting a Business After Age 40" by Lynne Beverly Strang (White Chimney Press, $14.99). It's never too late to start your own business. Strang's dozens of inter- views with Boomer entrepreneurs identi- fied eight common threads: 1. "Go out on the right limb." Rory Kelly (Prestige Limousine) spent nearly two years learning the nuts and bolts of the limousine industry before leaving his day job. He found a niche (providing backup services to other limo companies) and exploited it. The companies see him as a solution to their short-term problems, and not as a competitor. 2. "SWOT yourself." Identify your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. No one knows everything they need to know to start and grow a business. Franny Martin (Cookies on Call) did what she knew best — marketing — and hired others whose strengths she relies upon to run operations. 3. "Make it a family affair." This isn't about getting seed money for launch. It's about getting the family to understand that starting a business will create a "new normal" in family dynamics. Without fam- ily buy-in, an entrepreneur will only add more stress to his/ her life. 4. "Know who you need to know." Donna Herrie (Drawing Conclu- sions) belongs to five networking groups and does her best to find out who would be at- tending meetings. With a little online research, she develops a must-meet list for the meetings. Bob Littell (Littell Consulting Services) uses network- ing to "pay it forward" by connecting the dots of others; he collects IOUs. 5. "Be neighborly." This comes in two flavors: 1. Customers — Practice the Golden Rule. 2. Community — Support local initiatives by volunteering. 6. "Stay on the tiger." Barbara Cosgrove (Barbara Cosgrove Lamps) knows that it's tough to stay pumped every day — espe- cially when problems arise. Grit, in the form of sustained effort, gets you out of the valleys every business encounters. 7. "Watch the money." Do you track ex- penses? Are you adhering to your budget? What's your credit score? 8. "Keep it simple." Jerry and Janey Mur- rell (Five Guys Burgers and Fries) offer a limited menu and avoid fancy décor. This enables them (and their numerous franchi- sees) to focus on quality and service. Key takeaway: There's no perfect way to run a business. Learn from mistakes; forge ahead. Jim Pawlak Book Review What type of development is most needed in Hartford's Downtown North quadrant? Apartments 22.4% Supermarket 32.7% Other 13.3% Cultural Attactions 12.2% Restaurants 13.3% Retail 6.1% READER COMMENTS: "Something to benefit the people who are already there, as well as something that will bring more people to the area. A food and discount retail store like a Walmart anchoring a plaza. An economy-level motel with a bar/ restaurant where visiting players can stay. If that is successful you can add market-rate housing rather than start off with below market rate and have it fail." "Mixed use would be best to appeal to different people attending games at Dunkin' Donuts Park." "We've got a great Science Center, Historical Society and Old State House downtown, but I still see a need for more attractions to bring people to Downtown North. The ballpark is a great new place to go during the warmer months, but we need other things to bring the crowds downtown all year. And then restaurants and retail and apartments will follow." Solar projects of this scope also provide other positive economic impacts to host communities, including much needed new tax revenue streams, which often exceed hundreds of thousands of dollars annually.

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