The Connecticut government said that will provide $3 million in grants to help build large solar energy projects.
Qualifying solar power systems have to be at least 50 kilowatts in size - so home solar installations won't be covered. The average home array produces about 5 kilowatts of power.
The grant funding is being provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, also known as the stimulus bill. The funds will stimulate the development of commercial, institutional and industrial solar arrays, state officials hope.
The $3 million will be disbursed by the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, a quasi-public authority that has already provided funding to 143 Connecticut solar installations. An additional 43 CCEF-backed solar projects are in the pipeline.
"CCEF looks forward to supporting a diverse assortment of new solar [photovoltaic] projects with these ARRA funds - helping schools, businesses, farms, government buildings and other facilities go green," acting CCEF president Dale Hedman said.
To qualify for funding, projects must be no larger than 200 kilowatts. The $3 million will be available until April 2012.