Sparking the way to a greener tomorrow
Spark is your source for the latest solar energy insights, energy savings inspiration, incentives and financing information, and more. We hope it sparks a discussion about solar at your company or organization.
Six Reasons to Repower Your Solar System
Is your solar system keeping up with your energy goals? If not, repowering—replacing inverters or solar panels—might be a smart move. Read on for 6 compelling reasons to consider it.
A New Era for Clean Energy: Inside Massachusetts’ SMART 3.0
With more than 15 years of experience developing solar and storage projects across Massachusetts and the Northeast, Solect has witnessed the energy landscape evolve through periods of rapid growth, complex challenges, and significant transition. SMART 3.0 represents a meaningful and encouraging step forward, a comprehensive effort to boost the state’s solar ecosystem and set the stage for sustained progress.
Property Checklist: Is Your Site a Good Fit for Solar?
When evaluating your facilities, these are the key characteristics Solect looks for. Together, they help determine whether a commercial or municipal property is ready to support a long-term solar project.
LBER Insights: Building Compliance as a Competitive Advantage
The Large Building Energy Reporting (LBER) law from 2024, established under the Massachusetts Driving Clean Energy and Offshore Wind Act, requires annual reporting of energy usage by all buildings 20,000 square feet and larger.
Electrification Could Cause ‘Double Trouble’ for Businesses in the Northeast
Taking advantage of upfront incentives from government and utility programs, businesses in the Northeast are rapidly adopting electric technologies for buildings, industrial processes, and vehicle fleets, reducing their dependence on fossil fuels.
Solar Proves Its Mettle: Strong State Support and High Electricity Prices Keep Solar Valuable
On July 4, 2025, the President signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act into law, a far-reaching piece of legislation that reshapes America’s energy landscape. Among its many provisions, the Act begins the phase-out of the federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for solar and wind energy projects. This represents a significant change—but it’s certainly NOT the end of solar.
Get Ready for Peak Demand
Are you looking for ways to reduce your organization’s operating costs? As the long, hot days of summer approach, there is one particular hour on one specific day that deserves your attention. That hour is known as peak demand, and your energy consumption during that hour substantially impacts your organization’s energy expenses.
Solar Plus Rooftops: A Match Made in Heaven
Generous federal and state incentives, technological advancements, soaring electricity costs, and ambitious sustainability goals are driving widespread adoption of solar photovoltaic technology, with solar arrays being installed on parking lots, farms, and even lakes.
Overcoming the Cost Barrier: Making Solar Adoption Affordable for All Organizations
As organizations in the Northeast look for ways to save on energy costs and reduce their carbon footprint, solar energy is increasingly becoming the go-to solution. Despite the generous federal and state incentives, the initial cost of a solar installation can be a perceived barrier for some.
Addressing Challenges, Embracing Opportunities: Insights from BIC Green Cities Conference
The Global Interdisciplinary Green Cities Conference, held at the Berkshire Innovation Center (BIC) in Pittsfield from June 18th to 24th, convened experts and thought leaders from diverse fields, including Business, Engineering, Art, Architecture, Design, Political Science, International Relations, and Applied Science & Technology to explore recent developments, address pressing issues, and propose solutions to foster sustainable urban development.
Demystifying Demand Charges: Maximize your solar ROI further
Although electricity rates are lower in summer, you might notice a steady rise in your energy bills all thanks to demand charges, which are proportional to your energy usage during peak demand. Read on to delve deeper into demand charges and learn how to manage them effectively.
Electrification Can Cause ‘Double Trouble’ for Cities and Towns
Taking advantage of upfront incentives from government and utility programs, municipalities in the Northeast are rapidly adopting electric technologies for buildings and transportation, reducing their dependence on fossil fuels.
Empty Buildings? Here’s a Reliable Tenant for You
The commercial real estate industry is in uncharted territory. Hybrid and remote work, layoffs, and volatile interest rates are resulting in historic highs for vacancy rates and ongoing occupancy losses. The struggle to fill empty offices is a national phenomenon.
Minimizing ‘Double Trouble’ When Powering Sustainability
With their ongoing commitment to sustainability, universities and colleges set ambitious goals to reduce their carbon footprints. This path to decarbonization requires a significant shift towards electrification which is the replacement of technologies that directly use fossil fuels (like natural gas, oil, and coal) with those that use electricity.
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Solect Energy: Your Partner for Sustainable Compliance
As emission reduction mandates gain traction in Massachusetts, commercial building owners face growing pressure to adopt sustainable practices. With the implementation of stretch energy codes and net zero opt-in energy codes in communities throughout the state, decarbonization has become mandatory in most places.
The Clock is Ticking for MA SMART Incentives
Thinking that waiting a few months to begin a solar project doesn’t matter? Think again. In Massachusetts, the solar incentives from the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) program significantly impacts the financial return of a solar project.
How Connecticut’s Updated Solar Incentive Program Can Benefit My Business
Earlier this year, the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) approved updates to the Non-Residential Renewable Energy Solutions (NRES) program, a statewide, six-year solar program that supports Connecticut’s goal of carbon-free electricity by 2040.
Why Solar Carports Now Have More Financial Upside in Massachusetts Than Before
For years, savvy businesses in Massachusetts have been transforming their parking areas into assets that reduce costs and generate revenue by installing solar carports. These elevated canopy structures with solar photovoltaic (PV) panels produce clean, renewable energy that can be used on-site or sent back to the grid.
Why Connecticut Schools Are Going Solar in 2023
K-12 schools across the United States are switching to solar power to meet their energy needs and sustainability goals. According to data from Generation180, a nonprofit organization promoting clean energy, nearly one in ten public schools now has solar panels, and Connecticut is ranked 8th in the nation for the number of schools with solar.
Don’t Miss Out on Connecticut’s Solar Incentives
The Non-Residential Renewable Energy Solutions (NRES) program offers generous solar incentives for Connecticut businesses and property owners to transition to low cost, renewable energy – a proven way to save money on your electric bills, stabilize your electricity rates, or add a new source of revenue.
Tax Credits for Nonprofits to Go Solar?
The recently passed Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (the “Act”) has generated a lot of buzz – and rightly so. This is a nearly $400 billion legislative package that expands tax incentives and discounts for solar, energy storage, and other renewable energy resources.
Quick Look at How the New Federal Solar Incentives Can Help Your Business
The recent signing of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 has generated both excitement and confusion for businesses and property owners. There are 730 pages of dense legalese on a range of topics, with various provisions, that require further guidance by the U.S. Department of Treasury.