Vermont’s Greenest Retirement Community

March 15, 2019

Cedar Hill aims to be Vermont’s greenest retirement community with addition of solar power and electric vehicles

 

Windsor, VT – Up the hill from the main campus of Cedar Hill Health Care Center and the Village at Cedar Hill (known collectively as Cedar Hill Continuing Care Community), a field has filled up with solar panels.


The 501 kW-DC solar photovoltaic (PV) array – which is being built on land belonging to Cedar Hill co-owner Mary Louise Sayles, her daughter Patricia Horn and their families – will produce enough solar power to offset approximately 82% of the campus’s electricity usage. The Cedar Hill campus consumes approximately 751,809 kWh of electricity each year. “We started investing in renewables with solar hot water more than a decade ago,” said Patricia Horn, co-owner and executive director. “At that time, we did not have the funds needed to build a system like this. But now with the price of equipment decreasing, and tax credits to help offset the large upfront costs, we are finally able to do this. In the long run, this should help us to lower the energy costs at Cedar Hill and the Village and allow us to play our part in reducing global warming.”

Norwich Solar Technologies of White River Junction advised Cedar Hill on the project from start to finish, including the permitting, construction and, ultimately, maintenance. “We are delighted to work with Cedar Hill on this project,” said company president Jim Merriam. “We are working hard to make their solar experience easy and profitable and to help this company achieve its sustainability goals.”

This investment is just one piece of the community’s efforts to be environmental stewards. “We are composting our food scraps. We have bought a hybrid car and electric cars for resident and staff transportation. We have solar hot water. This is another piece of that effort,” Horn said. “Even though it is winter, we love monitoring our electricity production via the sun.”

Family-owned Cedar Hill provides skilled nursing, rehabilitation, assisted living and memory care on its campus, housing more than 100 residents 24-hours a day and employing more than 125 employees. Those services use a lot of electricity.

Cedar Hill’s solar array will offset nearly 13 million pounds of CO 2 , the equivalent of 26 million miles not driven or 153,000 trees planted. “Improving the standards of care and the quality of life has always been part of our mission and we think adding renewable energy improves the living environment for our residents and for the world,” said Cedar Hill co-owner Mary Louise Sayles.

The Solar PV system Norwich built for Cedar Hill produces an annual energy value of approximately $100,000 and was only possible due to the federal tax incentives, according to principal owner and founder Mary Louise Sayles .

Cedar Hill’s owners and their families financed the project themselves through VEDA and VSECU for the benefit of the Cedar Hill Community without impacting the company’s capital budget.

About Cedar Hill Continuing Care Community

Founded in 1988, Cedar Hill Continuing Care Community is an award-winning, family-owned 100-bed facility offering a full continuum of care including independent living, assisted living, short-term rehabilitation, skilled nursing care, state-of-the-art memory care and Alzheimer’s care, respite care, and dignified end-of-life care. Cedar Hill counts among its many honors a Vermont Health Care Lifetime Achievement Award.

About Norwich Solar Technologies

Norwich Solar Technologies specializes in complete end-to-end solar electric services including: Development, Design, Engineering, Procurement, and Construction, Power Purchase Agreements, Structured Financial Solutions and Operations and Maintenance. Our clients include Educational Institutions, Utilities, Municipalities, Commercial and Industrial Enterprises, Farms, Nonprofits, and Small Businesses.

LOCAL ECONOMIC IMPACT OF CEDAR HILL SOLAR

 

System Size: 501 kW-DC.

Projected Annual Output: 615,000 kWh in the first year of operation.

Local Utility Upgrades: $150,000.

Environmental Offset Equivalents: 13 million pounds of CO 2 , 26 million miles not driven, or 153,000 trees planted.

Jobs Created: 7 full-time job equivalents.

 

A nurse is talking to an elderly woman in a wheelchair.
April 15, 2025
Discover what assisted living offers—from personalized care to costs and key benefits—in this complete guide to making informed senior living decisions.
An elderly couple is hugging each other in front of a window.
April 14, 2025
Discover how compassionate memory care in assisted living supports seniors with dignity, safety, and personalized attention at Cedar Hill's Judith Brogren Memory Care Center.
An elderly man is smiling while talking to a nurse.
April 14, 2025
Learn if Medicaid covers assisted living, what services qualify, and how to apply. Discover your options in this essential coverage guide.
Three elderly people are sitting on a couch talking to each other.
March 19, 2025
Discover how community living boosts seniors’ well-being, offers social connection, and enhances quality of life at Cedar Hill Community Care.
An elderly man and a young woman are sitting next to each other on a bench holding hands.
March 19, 2025
Learn the key signs that it may be time for assisted living and how Cedar Hill Community Care can help ensure comfort, safety, and peace of mind.
Assisted Living in Wondsor Vermon
February 18, 2025
Discover assisted living costs, amenities, and how to find the best fit for your needs. Get expert insights to make the best decision for your loved one.
An elderly couple is holding hands in a park.
February 18, 2025
Discover key requirements for assisted living facilities, from safety standards to care services, to help you make the best choice for your loved ones.
By madwire November 22, 2024
Selecting the right senior living option for your loved one is crucial, especially when considering specific needs like memory care. At Cedar Hill, an esteemed assisted living facility in Windsor, VT, we understand the challenges families face when navigating care for seniors with memory-related conditions. Here are four significant benefits of choosing a nursing home… The post Choosing a Nursing Home With Memory Care appeared first on Cedar Hill Continuing Care Community.
By madwire November 22, 2024
As seniors transition into assisted living, maintaining independence becomes a vital concern for many. At Cedar Hill, we believe that fostering autonomy is crucial to enhancing quality of life while providing necessary support. Here are some key points to consider when seeking the right balance between assistance and independence in a retirement home. Personalized Care… The post Maintaining Independence in Assisted Living: Finding the Right Balance appeared first on Cedar Hill Continuing Care Community.
By madwire November 22, 2024
Navigating the world of senior living can be daunting, and many misconceptions surround assisted living facilities. At Cedar Hill, we aim to debunk common myths to help families make informed decisions about care options.  If you are interested in learning more about assisted living, contact our team for more information today!  Assisted Living Means Losing… The post Addressing Common Myths About Assisted Living for Seniors appeared first on Cedar Hill Continuing Care Community.
More Posts