Following a successful bid through Connecticut’s Non-Residential Energy Solutions program, the School has been approved to install a 200 kW solar array on the roof of the Jahn Ice Rink. The bid, submitted in collaboration with The Stone House Group, positions Pomfret to take advantage of the federal Inflation Reduction Act — the largest climate investment in US history — before the program expires next year. 

Once completed, the array is expected to generate approximately 330,000 kWh annually, supplying nearly a quarter of Pomfret’s electricity use. This will reduce the School’s carbon footprint and generate an estimated $70,000 in yearly energy savings — roughly $1.7 million over twenty-five years.

Solar Timeline

• November 2025 – February 2026: Financing Strategy

• January 2026 – March 2026: Vendor Selection

• February 2026 – April 2026: Contract Finalization
• May 2026 – December 2026: Final Design & Construction
• December 31, 2026: Commercial Operation Achieved

“Pomfret’s first solar project represents an important step forward in our commitment to sustainability,” says Chief Financial Officer Melissa Woodin. “By producing 330,000 kWh of clean energy — about 25% of the electricity used by our main meter — we’re reducing operating costs while making a meaningful reduction in our carbon footprint.”

The project is estimated to cost $700,000, and Pomfret is currently exploring several funding strategies. The most financially advantageous model is one in which a single donor covers the project cost and receives a 30 percent federal tax credit. In this scenario, the donor would own the array and gift the energy it generates to the School, resulting in approximately $70,000 in annual savings. After the IRS’s seven-year recapture period, ownership could transfer to Pomfret, with the remaining value claimed as a charitable contribution. The Advancement Office has identified nearly twenty prospective supporters for this initiative, though a lead donor has not yet been established.

A second approach would involve shared funding between a donor and the School. The final option is for Pomfret to finance the project independently during the 2026 budget year.

Pomfret has partnered with The Stone House Group to explore its sustainability options. The consulting firm works with organizations across healthcare, corporate, community and recreation, government, and education — including Hotchkiss and Indian Mountain School — guiding them on their journey toward what the firm calls “Building Stewardship.”

After evaluating multiple locations across the Hilltop, The Stone House Group selected Jahn Rink as the ideal site for the solar array. The rink is already integrated into School’s electrical network, eliminating the need for additional power-line installation. Its roof structure supports a low-maintenance design: roof-mounted solar panels benefit from natural rain runoff and face fewer physical risks than ground-mounted systems.

Pomfret has already established itself as a leader in campus energy innovation. Its trigeneration system simultaneously produces electricity, heat, and cooling — covering roughly 50 percent of campus electricity needs and 100 percent of heating and cooling. Transitioning from oil to cleaner, more efficient natural gas has further reduced carbon emissions. These efforts align Pomfret’s Strategic Plan, Change Makers and Problem Solvers, which commits the School to minimizing the environmental impact of campus operations.

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