Stonehill College is a four-year, Catholic liberal arts college located in Easton, Massachusetts, founded by the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1948. The College is primarily residential, with 2400 students who live and learn on Stonehill’s beautiful 384-acre campus. Through its curriculum of liberal arts, sciences, and pre-professional programs, the College provides an education of the highest caliber that fosters critical thinking, free inquiry and the interchange of ideas. Stonehill educates the whole person so that each of our graduates thinks, acts, and leads with courage toward the creation of a more just and compassionate world.
Challenge
Stonehill College has made it a priority to operate their campus with a commitment to sustainability. As good stewards of the planet, their dedication extends to using resources as responsibly as possible, especially considering how demanding operating the College can be.
Solution
Over the last 5 years officials at Stonehill have been dedicated to expanding the role renewable energy plays on their campus, and the results are palpable. Starting with a couple small rooftops, and blossoming into MW scale solar fields and carports, the campus’ commitment to renewable energy has been renewable and makes them one of the greenest in the country.
Results
40% reduction of electricity costs
With the addition of the new solar canopies, Stonehill College increased the total solar energy production to over 40 percent of the campus’ annual electrical usage while offering additional savings and a long-term hedge against rising energy costs. This project further reinforces Stonehill’s commitment to sustainability through green renewable energy and demonstrates leadership within the academic community.
True to its mantra of “Rowing for All”, Community Rowing Inc. (CRI) is constantly striving to change lives and communities by providing access to the sport of rowing to individuals regardless of ability, background, or experience.
Challenge
As a non-profit organization CRI didn’t have the operating capital to invest into a solar array, but still wanted to continue improving their state of the art headquarters that already featured a variety of renewable components. Such as a geothermal well with a subterranean tank that stores excess rainwater for maintenance and irrigation, natural light and ventilation coming into the building through louvers, bi-folding operable vents, and glass shingles.
Solution
Thanks to Solect’s partnership with Power Options and a comprehensive RFP process, CRI was comfortable moving forward with a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) that would enable them to install the array without paying any upfront costs towards the installation.
Results
$18,000 yearly savings on electricity costs
Solect owns and operates the array on Community Rowing’s prestigious headquarters and sells the power generated to CRI at a rate far below what they were paying for energy supplied by the local utility. The PPA agreement is in place for the next 20 years, during which CRI is projected to save over $188,000 on energy costs. The savings will enable them to expand their programs and continue their efforts to enrich the community.
The Brockton Area Arc is a non-profit local chapter of The Arc, a national advocacy organization, and The Arc Massachusetts. Our mission is to work in partnership with, and for, the community to provide advocacy, information, and direct services for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families. Our services provide choice and empowerment while supporting individuals as they strive to realize their personal goals. We promote independence, respect, and dignity. We fulfill this mission by advocating on a local, state and national level for the rights and general welfare of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
Challenge
When Solect Energy reached out to us about pursuing a solar conversion, switching to renewable energy hadn’t been on our radar. Solect made a compelling argument for the substantial benefits that we would accrue with a commitment to solar. With their proven expertise and excellent customer references, coupled with their relationship with PowerOptions we were confident we were moving forward with the right partner.
Solution
The Brockton Area Arc was able to install the solar array with no up-front costs through PowerOptions & Solect’s Solar Program. Under the program, Solect Energy financed, installed, and will service the solar array on their roof, while The Arc receives the power generated at a fixed rate for a period of 20 years under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) negotiated by PowerOptions.
Results
$15,000 reduction of electricity costs
The Brockton Area Arc anticipates the array will generate nearly 100 percent of its annual electricity, for a projected yearly savings of more than $15,000. The yearly $15,000 in anticipated savings from the solar array will be redirected toward expanding programs and services for the Arc community.
AmeriPride Services is recognized as one of the largest uniform rental and linen supply companies in North America. The company has more than 40 locations throughout the United States and Canada.
Challenge
AmeriPride has a long history of making the company increasingly environmentally sustainable. Their efforts have included the replacement of interior and exterior lights across its locations with LED lighting, replacing boilers with more energy-efficient models, and updating its delivery fleet with alternative fuel vehicles. The next step for the company was solar, but AmeriPride needed to understand which of its locations made the most sense to test a pilot program.
Solution
Massachusetts became the clear winner when the company looked at costs and incentives. After choosing Massachusetts, AmeriPride also chose Solect Energy, to design, install and maintain a 210 kW system atop the Worcester facility’s roof.
Results
25% reduction of electricity costs
With its new solar renewable energy solution in place, AmeriPride offsets its electricity usage in its Worcester location by up to 25 percent annually. The company is using its Massachusetts model to evaluate solar across its facilities in the United States and Canada.
Mass Tank is the largest steel tank manufacturer in New England, and combines their ninety-year fabrication experience with their certified inspection staff to deliver solutions for any tank projects. The Middleborough Gas & Electric Department is a public utility, owned by the town of Middleborough and serving about 5,000 gas customers in Middleborough and over 14,500 electric customers in Middleborough and Lakeville.
Challenge
Mass Tank first thought about renewable energy solutions when they became one of the contracted manufacturers for the Cape Wind project, a large offshore wind farm located in Federal waters off the coast of Cape Cod. Interested in contributing to the clean energy economy and reducing their energy costs, Mass Tank decided to look into owning and installing a solar energy solution on their facility. However, due to regulations sanctioned by the local municipal utility Middleborough Gas & Electric, Mass Tank soon found out that a “behind the meter” solar installation, where the energy is both generated and consumed directly on-site, is prohibited.
Solution
Mass Tank decided to approach Middleborough Gas & Electric to work on a solution that would allow both entities to support and benefit from solar energy. The municipal utility was interested, as such an arrangement would help mitigate peak demand, reducing customer cost while increasing power reliability. With Middleborough Gas & Electric on board, Mass Tank entered into an agreement with Solect and IGS Solar, under which IGS leases roof space from Mass Tank in order to host the array, own the system, and sell the solar electricity generated to Middleborough Gas & Electric through a power purchase agreement (PPA).
Results
Under their long-term lease agreement, Mass Tank will receive annual lease payments for the use of their roof, from investor and array owner, IGS. As a result, Mass Tank gains an additional source of revenue for a twenty-year period and also allows Middleborough businesses and residents to benefit from adding local solar energy to the supply mix without the costs and liabilities associated with owning a system. Middleborough Gas & Electric benefits from a new source of green, reliable electricity to provide their consumers.
Established in Southbridge, MA over 100 years ago, Hyde Tools has grown from a cutlery manufacturer to a manufacturer of hand tools for remodeling and home repair.
Challenge
As a manufacturer, Hyde Tools has a significant cost associated with their electricity needs. The company was looking for a way to improve their environmental footprint that also made good business.
Solution
Hyde Tools partnered with Solect to install a solar PV system on their roof, using innovative tenK panels that are specially designed to mitigate loss of production due to shading.
Results
13% reduction of electricity costs
Hyde Tools is now offsetting 13% of their annual electricity costs, saving over $180,000 per year. The solar savings have allowed Hyde to keep manufacturing jobs in Massachusetts. In addition, the company is able to take advantage of state and federal tax incentives, including SRECs.
Leewood Realty owns and operates the energy-efficient Leewood Building in the Newark Street Industrial Park. The park specializes in helping businesses go green with an environmentally friendly office space.
Challenge
Leewood Realty’s mission has always been to take care of the environment, and they have worked over the years to create the greenest possible environment for the building’s tenants. Earlier efficiency upgrades included a new reflective roof, infared warehouse heaters, motion sensor warehouse lighting, replacement of all larger windows, low-flow bathroom fixtures and more. Leewood already had enough solar on their roof to power the energy needs of the building itself, but owner Peter Schwarz wanted to take it further.
Solution
Leewood Realty partnered with Solect Energy to install enough solar on the roof to supply nearby Northern Essex Community College with reduced-cost electricity through a net metering purchase agreement.
Results
$12,500 yearly savings on electricity costs
NECC is purchasing discounted solar energy, saving more than $250,000 over the course of the 20-year agreement. NECC purchases 300,000 kilowatt hours per year, offsetting approximately 500,000 pounds of CO2 each year and 10,065,000 pounds over 20 years, helping NECC towards its goal towards achieving climate neutrality. In addition, Schwarz said he wanted to share his excitement with a younger generation of students who might want to consider careers in the solar energy industry, so he created a solar classroom atop the Leewood roof. Leewood also provides NECC students and staff rooftop tours of the solar system each year, and is contributing a $2,000 annual scholarship for the next 20 years for green courses for NECC students. As part of the project, Leewood is also able to take advantage of state and federal tax and financial incentives, including SRECs.
Long Subaru is a family-owned dealership based in Webster, MA. The company has been in business for nearly 90 years.
Challenge
Long Subaru was faced with continued rising electricity costs, and had been looking at solutions for several years. Solar was always in the mix, but Long Subaru wanted to wait until the time—and incentives—were right.
Solution
Long Subaru partnered with Solect Energy to install a 246 kW system atop its showroom and body shop.
Results
100% reduction of electricity costs
The system covers 100 percent of the dealership’s electricity costs annually, generating up to $100,000 in electricity savings each year. In addition, Long Subaru generates significant additional revenue annually through the SREC program.
