Milford, Connecticut is falling short of its goal of getting 20 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2010, forcing the Board of Aldermen to approve the purchase of energy certificates representing seven percent of the city’s annual kilowatt-hour consumption, The Connecticut Post reports.

“Realistically, purchasing these certificates is the only way we can achieve our goal in that timeframe,” said Tom Ivers, chairman of the city’s Clean Energy Task Force. “Solar panels and windmills won’t do it.”

The city’s “20 percent by 2010” initiative has been helped by residents who choose to get part of their home electricity through alternative sources. United Illuminating delivers the electricity, but allows customers to select from two Vermont utilities that generate solar and wind power.

Enough residents have signed up that the city has qualified to receive two large solar panels free from the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund.