Browse the article to see some of the benefits of public power.

Are you considering installing solar panels on your roof? Groton Utilities urges you to ask your contractor the following 15 questions to ensure you are making an informed decision.

• What retail rate do you use in your calculation?
• What is the current retail rate of my provider?
• What escalation rate do you use in your retail rate projection over the next twenty years?
• What is the basis for that retail rate escalation?
• What has been the actual last five, ten, twenty year escalation retail rate?
• What guarantee are you willing to provide in case the actual retail escalation rate / retail rate is less than you project?
• My utility provider may change the rate structure in the future, assigning a higher fixed cost than you project, who is responsible for the higher fixed cost?
• What assumptions on net metering do you have regarding the excess solar?
• Does my utility use actual displaced cost in net metering, or do they use full retail, or other?
• How does your solar rate compare to the actual displaced energy cost?
• If I have to replace my roof, or do repair, who is responsible to remove, reinstall, and pay for the removal and reinstall, of the solar panels?
• What is the cost to remove and reinstall the solar panels when I need a new roof?
• What responsibilities for lost solar production sales from you do I have while the panels are removed, and until they are reinstalled?
• If I want or need to sell my house, and the prospective buyer does not want the solar panels, who is responsible for the contract termination cost and panel removal?
• What are my options if the prior scenario occurs?

If you have questions about solar, contact Groton Utilities at 860-446-4000

Groton Utilities has issued a SCAM ALERT to all its customers. Be alert and be aware that you may be receiving phony telephone calls. These callers have been targeting area utility customers. If you are a local business in our service area, you are even more likely to be a target.

These callers claim to represent Groton Utilities and ask for payment in order to avoid utility service termination.

Do not respond to these bogus telephone inquiries.

Most importantly, if Groton Utilities contacts you directly, we will always identify ourselves at the outset of the telephone call.

Groton Utilities recommends that you always ask for identification of any caller and their telephone numbers. You can always call us directly at our Customer Service Center at 860-446-4000 to confirm the legitimacy of any unsolicited calls to your residence or business.

Never give your personal financial information to anyone whom you do not know. This includes credit card numbers, social security numbers or bank account numbers.

Updated as of January 21, 2016

PHONE SCAM: Callers claiming to represent Groton Utilities and/or the City of Groton and asking for payment in order to avoid utility service termination. The callers target local residents / businesses and request payment directly with the caller.

DO NOT give ANY information to anyone on the phone before assuring that the call is legitimate. Groton Utilities does not use any type of 800 number. Don’t assume the call is from Groton Utilities / City of Groton by the Caller ID only. Please contact GU at 860-446-4000 to verify the legitimacy of a call.

Groton Utilities Water Division reminds its water customers that using water wisely is always in season. This summer has been especially hot, and it is easy to lapse into wastefully water use practices and habits. While our water supply is more than adequate for this time of year, we do recommend that you exercise common sense when using water.

There are many ways to use water wisely. We would like to offer you some examples of wise water usage:

• Turning off the tap while you brush your teeth can save 8 gallons per day.
• Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes or lower the water settings for smaller loads.
• Water your lawn or garden during the cool morning hours, as opposed to midday, to reduce evaporation.
• Try not to overwater your landscaping. Learn plants’ water needs and water different types appropriately.
• A full bathtub can require up to 70 gallons of water, while taking a 5-minute shower uses only 10 to 25 gallons.

You can view long term water conservation tips at Water Conservation Tips.