Norwalk plaza eyes energy efficencies

The shopping plaza at 542 Westport Ave. in Norwalk announced plans April 1 to go green by upgrading to energy efficient lighting and installing new solar panels.

The group is the first to use the state’s Commercial & Industrial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program to finance the project, which loaned the plaza $285,000 in upgrades that it will be able to pay back through its property tax bill.

“Through the use of innovative financing tools like C-PACE, we can make energy cleaner, cheaper, and more reliable,” Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said in announcing the deal. “Improving energy efficiency, addressing conservation, and supporting alternative sources of power are important for growing Connecticut”™s clean energy economy and reducing costs for residents, businesses and government.”

The lighting improvements are expect to save the building $17,500 per year in energy costs.

“All of the businesses that rent in this shopping center, both now and in the future, will see a direct benefit from this project,” said state Sen. Bob Duff, a Norwalk Democrat. “C-PACE will help hundreds of Connecticut businesses save real money on their energy costs and do it by being more environmentally friendly.”