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.

The post Vermont’s Greenest Retirement Community appeared first on Cedar Hill Continuing Care Community.

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By Kelly Baptie • July 7, 2025

A retirement home is a community where older adults can live independently while enjoying amenities, social activities, and optional care services. So, what is a retirement home? These homes range from independent living to assisted living and continuing care communities. Key Takeaways Retirement homes cater to older adults seeking a maintenance-free lifestyle with social opportunities and support. Types of retirement homes include Independent Living Communities, Assisted Living Communities, and Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs), each serving different needs. Choosing the right retirement home involves assessing personal care needs and considering communities that offer a continuum of services as those needs evolve. Defining a Retirement Home A retirement home is designed for older adults who can care for themselves but seek a lifestyle free from the burdens of home maintenance and filled with social opportunities. These communities cater to healthy, active older adults who are partially or fully retired and desire a maintenance-free lifestyle with shared amenities and social opportunities in retirement living, including options like an old-age home. Residents in retirement communities typically enjoy various activities that promote social interaction and community engagement, including arts and crafts, movie nights, gardening clubs, and word games. Cedar Hill Continuing Care Community, for instance, focuses on creating a supportive environment that enhances residents’ dignity and independence. Types of Retirement Homes Retirement homes come in various forms, including nursing homes, each catering to different needs and preferences. Knowing these types will help you find the one that best suits your current and future needs. The primary types include Independent Living Communities, Assisted Living Communities, and Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs). Independent Living Communities Independent living communities are for seniors who want to maintain an active lifestyle without the responsibilities of home ownership. They emphasize a vibrant social life and independent living offers amenities like: Property maintenance Landscaping Housekeeping Fitness centers Salons Lush green spaces. Residents in these senior living community often have full schedules filled with social activities, volunteer work, and even jobs. These communities aim to create an environment where seniors can live independently while enjoying a vibrant community life. Payment options are typically rental only, offering a maintenance-free lifestyle where residents can focus on leisure and social interaction, with only a portion of their time dedicated to other responsibilities. The cost of senior living options provide residents pay additional flexibility for those seeking to enhance their quality of life. Contrary to common misconceptions, residents of these many retirement communities are active and do not need constant supervision. These communities serve active seniors who want to live independently and engage with like-minded individuals, ensuring a fulfilling and dynamic retirement while maintaining active social lives.