What Organizations Need to Know About Solar in a Changing Market

How Federal Deadlines, Compliance Obligations, and Ownership Options Are Reshaping Solar Decisions for Businesses and Public Entities At a Glance Introduction Businesses, municipalities, schools, nonprofits, and other organizations are navigating a fast-changing energy landscape shaped by increasing electricity demand, rising electricity costs, and expanding building electrification ordinances. Distributed solar is the lowest-cost and fastest technology

The Changing Economics of Solar for Commercial Real Estate

How Federal Deadlines, Compliance Obligations, and Ownership Options Are Reshaping Solar Decisions Estimated reading time: 6 minutes At a Glance Introduction Commercial building owners are navigating a dynamic and fast-changing energy landscape shaped by increasing electricity demand, rising electricity costs, and compliance obligations under new and expanding building electrification ordinances. Distributed solar is the lowest-cost

Rooftop Solar Site Leases: A New Revenue Stream for Commercial Real Estate Owners

Est. Read Time: 5 Min Commercial real estate owners increasingly focus on maximizing asset performance by driving net operating income (NOI) and positioning properties to remain competitive as market conditions evolve. One opportunity gaining traction is converting unused rooftop space into a long-term revenue stream through a solar site lease. Rooftop Solar Site Lease —

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. General Site Requirements Roofs Parking Lots Ground Sites Energy Storage (Optional) 👉 This checklist is a starting point. Solect works with customers to review each

POLICY ALERT: MA DPU to Approve One-Time Transfer of Excess Solar Bill Credits

Massachusetts electric customers who receive solar bill credits will soon have a new option to address accumulated excess credits. On June 1, the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) issued a Hearing Officer Memorandum under docket 25-117. In it, the Department accepts the electric utilities’ proposed solution to address the customers who have accumulated excess bill

How Peak Demand Affects Your Energy Costs

Many organizations focus on how much electricity they use, but when they use it can be just as important. Understanding peak demand and taking steps to manage it can help organizations reduce energy expenses, improve operational efficiency, and maximize the value of their solar and energy storage projects.

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.

ITC Is Reshaping Commercial Solar Timelines

Federal solar tax credit policy entered Phase 2 in 2026, creating two different timelines for commercial solar projects depending on when they are contracted. Key Takeaways for Property Owners Why Contract Timing Now Matters More for Solar Projects For most of the past two decades, the federal ITC helped make solar a straightforward financial decision

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.

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

By Matt Shortsleeve, SVP of Marketing & Policy, Solect Energy With more than 15 years of experience building solar and storage projects across Massachusetts and the Northeast, Solect has seen the energy landscape evolve through growth, challenges, and transition. SMART 3.0 marks a truly positive turning point — a comprehensive effort to revitalize the solar

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. Therefore, electrification is a key step

Solar Plus Rooftops: A Match Made in heaven

Generous incentives still available, 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.

LBER Insights: Building Compliance as a Competitive Advantage

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. This shift—primarily driven by the need to enhance operational efficiencies, achieve sustainability goals, and comply with evolving regulations—is transforming how companies approach capital

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. Just days later, Executive Order #14315 directed the U.S.

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

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.

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.