Letting the sun shine in

The big dig behind the Sharon Package Store is going to provide some additional storage space but, according to property owner Richard Turnure, it’s mainly going to be a source of green power. “The building is actually (primarily) a structure to support a 100,000 kW solar array, which given the ‘passive house’ construction of the store, and the existing geothermal heating and cooling system — it will actually surpass LEED platinum standards by a large margin,” Turnure said in an email. “Fossil fuel usage will be zero.” He credited “the generous help of Belter Builders, Depco Mechanical, the town of Sharon and the state of Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection” for their support and work and said, “This commercial facility will be one of the first ‘zero carbon, net zero’ commercial properties in Connecticut.” And he reminded area liquor and wine consumers that the Sharon Package Store has an extensive selection of fine wines and craft beers. “Please encourage your readers who patronize package stores to stop in and buy green, buy local, and buy often.”