Solect Energy Awarded Competitive RFP Contract with the City of Medford for a Microgrid Energy Management System

Solar PV System, Energy Storage System and Generator will Provide Medford DPW  with Highly Efficient and Resilient Operations

 

Medford, MA – Solect Energy, the state’s leading commercial-scale developer and installer of solar energy systems, announced today that they have been awarded a competitive RFP contract to engineer, procure, install, and service a microgrid energy management system at the City’s Department of Public Works (DPW). The system includes a 235kW PV solar array which has already been installed by Solect through their partnership with PowerOptions, an 100kW/255kWh NEC Distributed Storage Solution (DSS) and an emergency generator.

The City of Medford applied for and was awarded a MA Department of Energy Resources (DOER) Community Clean Energy Resiliency Initiative Grant of $833,000. The grant funds the comprehensive microgrid and energy storage system demonstration project, and is one of several that the Commonwealth is supporting to prove the value of distributed renewable energy technologies for municipal preparedness in extreme conditions. The project will result in a resilient and highly efficient operations center to serve the City and its residents in any conditions, including loss of grid power.   

“Solect’s Microgrid RFP was strong and compelling, and they were extremely helpful with each step of the way from the proposal, installation of the PV system to the DOER grant extension,” said Mayor Stephanie M. Burke. “The microgrid system will enable us to make great strides in our goal of highly efficient, resilient buildings. We look forward to collaborating with Solect on this project and demonstrating to the Commonwealth and the citizens of the City of Medford, the value of distributed renewable energy systems.”

An added benefit of the microgrid’s solar + storage combination, is the ability to lower expensive demand charges.  Demand charges are based on a customer’s monthly peak load, and in many cases [in Massachusetts] can account for up to 70% of a commercial customer’s electricity bill. In addition, the City can take full advantage of the storage capacity to more effectively participate in a range of Demand Response programs to further reduce operating expenses.

“We salute Mayor Burke, Alicia Hunt and the City of Medford for the attention and emphasis they are placing on resiliency planning for their city buildings and harnessing solar plus storage to deliver high efficiency, energy stability and cost savings,” said Kenneth Driscoll, President and CEO at Solect Energy.  “We applaud their vision and have high expectations that the system will deliver on those goals, while also allowing the City to reduce their expenses over the next twenty years.”

 

About the City of Medford

Founded in 1630, Medford is the fourth oldest English settlement in America. Established as a City in 1892, Medford is one of the oldest settlements in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the US.

Medford was a leader in the Clipper Ship building industry and manufactured brick and tile. In addition, Medford was famous for its “Medford Rum” and “Medford Crackers.” Revolutionary war patriot Sarah Bradlee Fulton lived here. General George Washington visited here during the Revolutionary War, while Paul Revere came through on his famous ride, waking up Medford residents with “the British are coming!” Medford is also the home to abolitionists Prince Hall and Lydia Maria Child, cooking school founder Fannie Farmer, General Samuel Lawrence, who fought at the battle of Bull Run, and former Massachusetts Governor John Brooks. The Christmas Song “Jingle Bells” was written here by James Pierpont.

The name Medford is thought to have come from “the ford by the meadow” or “Medford” thus commemorating the importance of the fordable part of the Mystic River located just west of present-day Medford Square.

The original area of Medford was owned by Mathew Cradock, the first Governor of the Massachusetts colonies. Although Cradock never saw it, he employed men to develop his land into a plantation. After his death, the plantation passed to his heirs and then was sold en masse in 1652 to Edward Collins. The area was designated a “peculiar” which signified that it was private property and not a properly incorporated town. Collins began selling pieces of land to others after 1656. In 1684, Medford was granted the right to raise its own money by the General Court. For more information, visit www.medford-ma.gov or follow us on Twitter at @MedfordMass or @GoGreenMedford.

 

SOLECT ENERGY’S ROOF-TOP SOLAR ARRAY PROJECTED TO COVER 100% OF MEDFORD DPW’S ELECTRICITY NEEDS

The City of Medford, Massachusetts, has collaborated with Solect Energy and PowerOptions to install a 235-kW solar energy system on the roof of the city’s new DPW Building. The array consists of 588 solar panels, which are projected to produce approximately 300,000 kWh of energy annually. Medford anticipates the array will generate nearly 100% of the DPW’s annual demand for electricity, for a projected first year savings of $11,000.

“The city has been making strides toward our mission of fiscal and environmental stewardship,” said Mayor Stephanie M. Burke. “We are pleased to make these investments in and commitments to our community and remain dedicated to expanding our goal to be carbon neutral by 2050.”

Medford was able to install the solar array with no up-front costs through the Solect Energy and PowerOptions Solar Program. Under the program, Solect Energy financed, installed and will service the roof-top solar array, while the DPW receives the power generated at a fixed price for a period of 20 years under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) negotiated with PowerOptions.

“At PowerOptions, our mission is to help communities save time and money on energy, so more resources can be directed toward serving the public,” said PowerOptions President and CEO Cynthia Arcate. “We applaud the City of Medford’s forward-thinking approach to energy and resiliency.”

Medford is committed to a region-wide effort towards a carbon neutrality goal by 2050, as part of the Boston Metro Mayors Coalition. As such, Medford has committed to reducing their carbon footprint and doing their part for climate change mitigation under the administration of Mayor Stephanie M. Burke. This leadership is supplemented by the City Council’s unanimous vote supporting the solar initiative last summer.

“Installing solar was always a part of the plan at the new DPW building, as it was constructed to be solar ready,” said Alicia Hunt, Director of Energy and Environment for the City of Medford. “Our partnership with PowerOptions was instrumental in executing projects and we are actively pursuing solar on other municipal buildings as well.”

In addition to the solar array, the new energy-efficient DPW building will be outfitted with an energy storage solution, and a fully functional micro-grid funded by a MA Department of Energy Resources (DOER) Community Clean Energy Resiliency Initiative Grant of $700,000. The City’s strategy is to harden the DPW and be resilient to increased potential of electric grid outages and provide continuous service in the event of an emergency.

“Solect commends the City of Medford for their renewable energy and resiliency initiatives,” said Matt Shortsleeve, Vice President of Development at Solect Energy. “We are proud to play a role in this project, and more broadly the City of Medford’s transition to clean and resilient operations.”

Solect Energy Launches Energy Storage Division

Signs Agreement with NEC Energy Solutions

to Sell NEC’s DSS® Products

                                               

November 28, 2017 – Hopkinton, MA – Solect Energy, Massachusetts’ leading commercial-scale developer of solar energy systems with over 400 installed projects, announced today that it is launching an energy storage division. In launching the new division, Solect has signed an agreement with NEC Energy Solutions, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NEC Corporation, to sell NEC’s DSS® (Distributed Storage Solution) product line for commercial customers. NEC is one of the world’s leading energy storage solutions providers with more than 250MW (megawatts) of projects installed or currently under construction.

“We couldn’t be more excited about our collaboration with NEC and the opportunity to bring tremendous additional value to both our existing and new customers,” said Ken Driscoll, CEO of Solect Energy. “We are at the doorstep of the energy storage boom and Solect is extremely well positioned to bring these new solutions to our commercial customers, saving them money and building resiliency.”

Since Massachusetts has some of the highest demand charges in the US, accounting for up to 70% of a commercial customer’s electricity bill, both Solect and NEC anticipate that Massachusetts will be one of the next major markets to see commercial-scale energy storage rapidly grow the way it has in California. Demand charges are based on a customer’s monthly peak load and, according to Solect’s market analysis, up to 70,000 commercial customers in Massachusetts currently pay high enough rates to economically justify installing a storage system to even out their energy load profile and lower their demand charges. When paired with solar, the economics are even better due to tax advantages and other ways to monetize the benefits of both systems working together.

“As Massachusetts’ leading commercial-scale solar energy provider, we are delighted to be working with Solect as a Qualified DSS® Partner. There’s no doubt they are well positioned to become one of the leaders in the solar+storage market here in the Commonwealth,” said Steve Fludder, NEC Energy Solutions CEO. “Over the next few years, we expect energy storage to rapidly expand in Massachusetts as commercial customers look for additional ways to cut costs, reduce emissions and enhance resiliency. We look forward to working with the Solect team to capitalize on that growth.”

“Storage is like adding a turbo charger to your solar system,” said Driscoll. “Whether you are a manufacturing company, a medical imaging facility or even a municipality, if you have high demand charges and you want to reduce them, you should be thinking about energy storage and pairing it with an existing or new solar energy system.”

As a Qualified DSS® Partner for NEC, Solect will act as a reseller and independent contractor, installing, operating and maintaining DSS® energy storage units. The DSS® platform is scalable from 85kWh to 510kWh of energy storage capacity and offers from 100kW up to 710kW of power capability. As a standardized, UL safety-certified, AC-ready system including power conversion system, the DSS® product is preconfigured in outdoor-rated enclosures, compliant with all relevant regulatory and environmental requirements and is backed by up to a 10-year product warranty.

 

About Solect Energy

Solect Energy is a full-service solar photovoltaic (PV) project developer and installer based in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, delivering smart solar and energy management solutions to help businesses and organizations reduce energy costs. As an industry leader in commercial-scale solar energy, Solect takes a practical approach to the development, installation and on-going support of each system. We partner closely with our customers, providing strong financial insight and solar technology expertise to optimize their investment while creating a positive impact on the environment. Solect currently has installed over 65 MW (megawatts) of commercial PV systems, with a primary focus on commercial, light industrial and institutional properties in New England. For more information, visit https://solect.com or follow us on Twitter at @SolectSolar.

 

About NEC Energy Solutions

NEC Energy Solutions designs, manufactures, and integrates smart energy storage solutions for the electric grid, behind the meter, and critical power applications. Its scalable distributed energy storage and control systems provide greater grid stability and flexibility to the benefit of both providers and users of electricity. In telecom, datacenter, and other industrial applications, its high performance lithium-ion battery systems provide better value than traditional lead-acid batteries in tough, critical power applications. Learn more at www.neces.com.

 

Solect Energy #1 Massachusetts Rooftop Solar Developer For Businesses and Institutions

Solar Power World & Inc. 5000 Rankings Validate

Solect’s Strategic Market Focus

 

September 12, 2017 – HOPKINTON, MA – Solect Energy, announced today that based on an analysis of Massachusetts Department of Energy (DOER) data, and rankings from Solar Power World and Inc. magazine that the company has once again achieved #1 ranking for commercial-scale solar rooftop providers in Massachusetts.

According to the Mass DOER SREC database, Solect has installed more commercial-scale solar arrays between 50kW-1MW in Massachusetts than any other company.  (Commercial scale projects are commonly defined as systems between 50kW-1MW.) This represents more than 350 individual installations at companies throughout the commonwealth. An analysis of the Massachusetts rankings in Solar Power World magazine’s recent Top Solar Contractors list also shows Solect as the top commercial-scale solar rooftop developer in Massachusetts. Additionally, Solect was ranked 6th in the nation for all commercial solar providers.

The company has also received national recognition for its continued rapid growth. Solect was named the 32nd fastest growing company in Massachusetts and the #2 solar company in the state, according to Inc. magazine’s Inc. 5000 Fastest Company List. The Inc. 5000 is the most prestigious ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. The list looks at the most successful companies within the American economy’s most dynamic segment — its independent small and midsized businesses.

This is the 4th consecutive year that Solect has appeared on the Inc. 5000 list. Nationwide, Solect is ranked #1234, a significant jump from last year’s #2756. By sector, Solect is in the top 50 fastest growing energy companies nationwide (#42).

“We are thrilled with our continued top-tier standing in the Solar Power World and Inc. lists,” said Kenneth Driscoll, Solect Energy’s Founder and CEO. “The high rankings, and the fact that so many companies have chosen to work with us, are a validation of our exclusive focus on solar solutions for mid-sized commercial and industrial companies, municipalities and non-profit institutions. Solect will continue our rapid growth by offering our highly regarded O&M services to customers outside our installed based, coupling solar with new storage opportunities and bringing our expertise as a commercial-scale solar energy partner to additional markets.”

The Top Solar Contractors list is developed by Solar Power World to recognize the work completed by solar contractors across the United States. Produced annually, the Top Solar Contractors list celebrates the achievements of U.S. solar developers, subcontractors and installers within the utility, commercial and residential markets.

2016 was a banner year for Solect Energy and the U.S. solar market as a whole. There was more than 14,700 MW of solar installed in the U.S in 2016, nearly doubling the capacity installed in 2015. The commercial solar market continues to be a growth area as more states adopt solar-friendly policies, and businesses become more informed about the significant financial and environmental benefits solar offers.

“The 2017 Top Solar Contractors list features 500 of the best solar contractors in the United States,” said Kelly Pickerel, managing editor of Solar Power World. “From solar hotbeds on the coasts to the up-and-coming Midwest solar market, every installer adding even the smallest solar array to the grid is making a positive impact on our communities. We’re proud to recognize these companies and their efforts to bring solar power to U.S. homes and businesses.”

 

About Solect Energy

Solect is a full-service solar photovoltaic (PV) project developer and installer based in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, delivering smart solar and energy management solutions to help businesses and organizations reduce energy costs. As an industry leader in commercial-scale solar energy, Solect takes a practical approach to the development, installation and on-going support of each system. We partner closely with our customers, providing strong financial insight and solar technology expertise to optimize their investment while creating a positive impact on the environment. Solect currently has installed over 65 MW (megawatts) of commercial PV systems, with a primary focus on commercial, light industrial and institutional properties in New England. For more information, visit https://solect.com or follow us on Twitter at @SolectSolar.

Solect Energy Acquires Northeast Division of Brightergy

Hopkinton, MA – March 7, 2017 – Solect Energy, the state’s leading commercial developer and installer of solar energy systems, today announced that the company has acquired a division of Brightergy, a solar and energy services provider based in Kansas City, with operations in Boston. Solect acquired Brightergy’s Northeast sales and project management operations in addition to some of Brightergy’s intellectual property developed around commercial solar lead generation.

“We’re very excited to welcome Brightergy’s Northeast division to Solect” says Ken Driscoll, Co-founder and CEO of Solect Energy. “This move will strengthen Solect’s expertise in commercial solar and energy management, deepen our service offerings, and help the company continue to deliver smart clean energy solutions and cost savings to businesses and institutions across New England.”

With more than 1,500 completed commercial solar projects, Brightergy is one of the most experienced commercial solar companies in the United States. The sale of the Northeast division is part of a broader plan to narrow Brightergy’s focus on serving electric utility clients nationwide and commercial clients in the Midwest.

”We were very impressed with Solect’s company culture and the similarities to ours. Once we decided to sell our Northeast division, it was a no-brainer to partner with Solect,” said Adam Blake, Brightergy’s CEO.

“The acquisition supports Solect’s growth and transformation from the leading Massachusetts Commercial Solar Company to New England’s leading clean energy services company,” said Driscoll.

Earlier this month, Solect announced achieving a record-breaking year in 2016, completing 115 sites and installing more than 26 megawatts (MW) in total solar output.  Additionally, 2016 saw the official launch of the company’s Solar Services division, as well as expansion into the neighboring states of Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Since the company’s inception in 2009, Solect Energy has grown from a three-person operation to having a core staff of 60 people in 2016. With the acquisition of Brightergy’s Northeast division, Solect has added 15 new employees bringing Solect’s total roster to 75.