Topic

Energy

Farmington's Backyard Solar Rule Splits in Two

Farmington still has no rule for solar panels in the backyard. The planning commission asked for two competing versions: one that sends hard cases to the appeals board, and one that has the…

Jack Beckett·Oct 8, 2026

Farmington Mercury graphic. On a dark navy field, a large serif headline reads One rule, two drafts. Below it: Still no rule for backyard panels. Both versions come back Oct. 26. To the right, a simple line drawing of a ground-mounted solar panel on posts.

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Farmington Appeals Board Asks Zoning to Wait on Solar Rules

Farmington's zoning rules say nothing about solar panels in the yard, and the planning commission takes up a draft Monday. The elected Zoning Board of Appeals has asked it to wait.

Jack Beckett·Sep 24, 2026

Farmington Mercury graphic. On a dark navy field with fine grain and a thin blue rule at the left edge, a gold kicker reads Farmington Zoning, Before Monday's Solar Hearing. A large serif headline asks Who decides? Below a short blue rule, a line reads: The appeals board asks the planning commission to hold its ground-mounted solar rule until both boards talk. A faint abstract grid fades in on the right.

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Connecticut's Solar Program No Longer Ends in 2027

A resident asked the Green Efforts Committee whether to wait on a home battery until after 2027. The deadline behind the question had been repealed three months earlier.

Jack Beckett·Sep 20, 2026

Farmington Mercury graphic. The year 2027 set in heavy navy type on a cream field, struck through with a single blue rule. Below it, a line reading that 2027 was the year Connecticut's solar program was written to end, and that the legislature took it out in June.

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Unionville Historic Panel Argued About Window Heat Loss

"People are not going to live in homes that they can't heat." A commissioner said that out loud on September 3, during an argument set off by a state training video almost nobody has watched.

Jack Beckett·Sep 15, 2026