Nordost is the premier manufacturer of hi fi audio cables and accessories in the consumer electronics industry. In 1991, the company first made a name for itself with its revolutionary, flat audio cables, which used conductor solutions developed from unique technologies originally engineered for the aerospace industry. Since its founding, Nordost has continually pushed industry boundaries, striving to enhance audio technologies and bringing what were once unattainable goals into fruition.
Challenge
Most manufacturing facilities stand to benefit greatly from installing a solar array, and Nordost was no exception, with their high-tech equipment drawing a significant amount of energy during peak load times.
Solution
After meeting with Solect Energy, the company realized it had the opportunity with solar to cover a meaningful amount of its energy demand by installing a solar array on the roof of its Holliston headquarters.
Results
75% reduction of electricity costs
Additionally, Nordost will be able to take advantage of state and federal tax and financial incentives, including SRECs (Solar Renewable Energy Certificates), which are financial incentives based on the amount of solar energy the system generates. Electric utility providers in Massachusetts purchase SRECs to help them meet their state-mandated goals of a percentage of power coming from renewable energy sources.
Chemetal is one of the world’s largest sources of metal designs and laminates for commercial and residential building projects. The 50 year-old, family-owned business has a strong commitment to green practices. Many of its metal products are made entirely of aluminum, the most recycled material on the planet. Some of its aluminum finishes contain up to 85% recycled content, offering builders and architects LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) credits. LEED is the most widely used third-party verification for green buildings.
Challenge
Chemetal was already dedicated to other green practices, and having recently doubled the size of their facility they recognized adding solar to their new roof as a real opportunity to offset the new operating costs.
Solution
Solect carefully examined Chemetal’s energy usage patterns and other factors in order to design the optimum solar energy system. Solect then worked to make sure that Chemetal would achieve maximum ROI through the myriad of solar incentives.
Results
33% reduction of electricity costs
Chemetal is projected to save approximately $25,000 annually on its electricity bill, and is able to take advantage of state and federal tax and financial incentives, including SRECs (Solar Renewable Energy Certificates), which are financial incentives based on the amount of solar energy the system generates. Electrical utility providers in Massachusetts purchase SRECs to help them meet their state-mandated goals of a percentage of power coming from renewable energy sources.
Milliston Common is a popular retail plaza in Millis, MA, housing several dozen retail businesses including a laundromat, a grocery store, and other small businesses.
Challenge
Milliston Common uses a substantial amount of electricity to light, cool, heat, and power common areas, the parking lot, and retail partners in the plaza.
Solution
Milliston Common partnered with Solect Energy to put solar on four separate roofs in the plaza, in order to reduce energy costs.
Results
100% reduction of electricity costs
The 653 kW system covers 100% of the Common’s electricity demand in common areas and parking lots, as well as 100% of the electricity demand for stores Kidsturf, Twist Bakery and Café Inc., a laundromat, and the Rosenfeld Law Office, with estimated savings of over $130,000 in the first year. Milliston Common is also able to take advantage of the state and federal tax incentives and SREC program.
MOMS of Manchester was so successful in the pre-owned market they decided to expand the business and open a second store in Massachusetts. They bought the building in 2002 and renovated the property. MOMS South opened in March of 2003 located just south of Gillette Stadium on Route 1 in Foxboro, Massachusetts under the helm of Joe Wheeler’s son Joel Wheeler. The market expanded to women riders and first time riders. MOMS Manchester’s and MOM’South was there again to meet their needs by taking on the Hyosung Motorcycle Franchise which provided the best all around entry level cruiser with comfort, size, and price.
Challenge
Looking to find a way to offset operation costs, MOM’s saw the opportunity at its MA location to install a solar array to supplement the success of its expanded location.
Solution
By partnering with Solect Energy MOM’s was able to install a 283 kW solar array on the rooftop of its Foxboro location.
Results
100% reduction of electricity costs
The array was sized to cover the entirety of their demand for electricity, and MOM’s was able to completely eliminate their energy bill. In addition to eliminating its electricity costs, Motorcycles of Manchester is also able to take advantage of state and federal tax and financial incentives, including SRECs (Solar Renewable Energy Certificates), which are financial incentives based on the amount of solar energy their system generates. Electrical utility providers in Massachusetts purchase SRECs to help them meet their state-mandated goals of a percentage of power coming from renewable energy sources.
Alder Foods is one of the country’s largest suppliers to the military markets. The company sells nationally-branded food and perishable goods to the U.S. Military Commissaries located throughout the world. The company has become one of the top 30 companies selling worldwide to the Defense Commissary Agency
Challenge
Alder Foods was looking for a way to improve energy efficiency as a part of their company goal of improving the environment, but wanted to do so while making a smart investment.
Solution
Alder Foods partnered with Solect to design and install a 108 kW system on the roof the company’s Walpole facility, offsetting electricity costs through the energy created and generating return on investment through SREC sales.
Results
$25,000 yearly savings on electricity costs
The 108 kW system offsets electricity costs through the energy created, and also generates return on investment through Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SREC) sales.The system saves the company close to $25,000 in electricity costs annually, and related SREC credits will also produce a similar amount of total return.
Mastria Auto Group is a family-owned dealership in Taunton, MA, representing the Buick GMC Cadillac, Nissan, Subaru and Mazda brands. The company has been in business for more than 60 years.
Challenge
The company was faced with rising electricity costs, even through the municipal utility in the town of Raynham. It had installed LED lighting and high-performance garage doors to reduce costs. At the same time, Mastria realized it had a valuable asset in its roofs, and wanted to explore its options.
Solution
Mastria Auto Group partnered with Solect Energy to install systems at its Buick GMC Cadillac, Nissan and Subaru dealerships. A fourth dealership—Mazda—needed improvements to its roof, so Mastria deferred the project.
Results
30% reduction of electricity costs
The systems cover up to 30 percent of the auto group’s electricity costs annually, saving the company up to $40,000 each year. With the Mazda dealership completed, the company saves an additional $10,000 per year in electricity costs. In addition, Mastria will generate significant additional revenue annually through the SREC program.
Swissturn/USA is a family-owned manufacturer of fine-precision metal and plastic components located in Oxford, MA. The company employs 50 high-tech employees.
Challenge
The company runs its operations “lights out,” meaning when the employees leave for the day, the computer-controlled machines keep working. As a result, Swissturn’s electricity costs were significant. Controlling costs without sacrificing productivity was of high importance to the company. The company investigated solar a few years earlier, but knew it was relocating to a new facility.
Solution
After settling in the new facility, Swissturn partnered with Solect Energy to install at 135.3 kW solar system to help control costs.
Results
30% reduction of electricity costs
The system reduced Swissturn’s electricity costs by up to 30 percent annually, saving the company up to $20,000 each year. In addition, Swissturn is able to generate significant additional revenue annually through the SREC program.
The Longfellow Club is one of the largest fitness clubs in New England, and is known as one of the greenest fitness clubs in America.
Challenge
Owners Laury Hammel and Myke Farricker wanted their business to be “as sustainable as possible,” while also being financially conscious.
Solution
The Longfellow Clubs partnered with Solect Energy and a third-party investor in a Power Purchase Agreement in which the investor, Cedar Solar I, LLC, owns the physical system and sells the produced solar power back to the club at a significantly reduced rate.
Results
21% reduction of electricity costs
The 148 kW system installed on the roof of the fitness club generates over 180,000 kWh of solar energy annually, covering at least 21% of the club’s electricity needs. Through the PPA, the investor, Cedar Solar I, LLC, paid all capital costs, leaving the club to benefit from reduced cost clean energy. In turn, Cedar Solar benefits from the state and federal incentives offered to solar owners in Massachusetts.
