Metrowest YMCA

For more than 55 years, the MetroWest YMCA, has responded to community needs in the MetroWest area and made a significant impact throughout Framingham and the surrounding towns. Annually more than 20,000 children, adults and seniors living and working in MetroWest communities are served by the Y.  Additionally, summer camps in Framingham, at the MetroWest YMCA Clearbrook Family Swim Club, and at the YMCA Family Outdoor Center in Hopkinton offer stimulating skill building, leadership and learning activities for 1,000 youth daily.

Challenge

Programs and services at the MetroWest YMCA’s Framingham location positively impact thousands of children and families each day. The Y was looking for a way to help to defray energy costs associated with temperature control and operating the indoor pool, and also reduce energy costs associated with the early education center and wellness areas.

Solution

Working closely with YMCA Shared Services, MetroWest selected PowerOptions & Solect’s solar program. Under the program, Solect Energy installs, owns, and operates the solar arrays on the YMCA’s roof, and sells the power generated at a fixed rate for a period of 20 years under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) negotiated by PowerOptions.

Results

13% reduction of electricity costs

MetroWest YMCA anticipates the array will provide up to 13 percent of its facility’s annual electricity, for a projected yearly savings of more than $10,000. The MetroWest YMCA had also been doing its part to become more environmentally sustainable by encouraging recycling, conserving energy with responsible use policies, and LED lighting initiatives. The addition of solar is a significant step forward in the organization’s sustainability commitment. In addition to this project, the MetroWest YMCA is also exploring future projects that can be powered by solar energy.