Pingree School was founded in 1960 and sits on 100 acres of land with a population of 335 students. With the school’s dedication to educational excellence, as well as the environment, Pingree was eager to add solar to the Johnson Rink to demonstrate this commitment to sustainability.
Challenge
The Johnson Ice Rink plays an important part in the athletic program and to the local community, however, the cost associated with running the facility is quite high. In fact, during the summer of 2011, a decision was made to shut down the rink during the summer partially due to the high cost of electricity.
Solution
With the installation of the solar system, the school now has access to affordable renewable energy, making the decision to remain open during the summer a more feasible option. Solect, partnered with Pingree on a PPA deal where Solect the solar system and sells electricity back to Pingree at a highly reduced rate.
Results
50% reduction of electricity costs
The 770 panels in the array will produce over 232,000 kWh of electricity per year — nearly half of the ice rink’s electricity demand. The array is not only adding clean energy to the ice rink, but also exposing students to alternative energy sources and long-term sustainability. To help the students learn how the system operates, a monitoring system has been provided to the faculty to show electricity production and how that production translates into the impact to the environment
Roxbury Latin School was founded in 1645 by The Reverend John Eliot, Roxbury Latin is the oldest school in continuous existence in North America. For all of their 373 years they have offered a program explicitly designed for the boys in our care.
Challenge
Operating a field house is generally one of the most energy intensive components of a school’s facilities. Roxbury Latin saw the large flat roof of their building as an opportunity to combat those expenses.
Solution
Roxbury Latin worked with Solect to install a 137 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) renewable energy system on the roof of its Albert H. Gordon Field House. Through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), Solect provides electricity to Roxbury Latin at reduced rates, and after 15 years, Roxbury Latin will own the system outright. Electricity generated from the system will be used to power the Gordon Field House and the McNay Wrestling Palaistra, and electricity generated in excess of what is required at those two facilities will be routed to the school’s HVAC system, further reducing the school’s energy costs.
Results
$6,500 yearly savings on electricity costs
The School is projected to save just under $100,000 over the 15-year lease term. The installation has also provided an addition to Roxbury Latin’s curriculum; an interactive kiosk located in the Bauer Science Center outside the Physics Lab will provide access to a continuous data stream measuring the solar panel output and also weather information from a rooftop weather station.
Wilevco has been building and perfecting innovative, quality machinery for the Food Processing Industry for over 50 years! They offer equipment used in three distinct areas: spray application of coatings, mixing of liquid batters, and chilling of liquids and slurries.
Challenge
As a manufacturing and warehousing facility energy costs are among Wilevco’s most costly expenses. In an effort to remain at the cutting edge of their industry they decided to find a way to get them under control.
Solution
Owner Leverett Flint credits his interest in greening his business as well as “Yankee stubbornness” as his motivators in choose a renewable solar energy solution.
Results
33% reduction of electricity costs
The system has offset approximately one-third of the building’s energy costs, while also allowing WILEVCO to benefit from state and federal tax incentives, and the sale of Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs).
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.
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. The latest piece in their renewable puzzle came in the form of a giant carport array, dominating one of the campus’ main parking lots, and nearly doubling the amount of energy the school receives from solar power. 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
Since the initial projects began in 2013, 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 made them one of the greenest colleges 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.
Parsons Commercial Group (PCG), is a commercial real estate company based in Framingham, MA. Parsons Commercial Group is now partnered with SVN® Inc. (formerly Sperry Van Ness), An international real estate network with 1,200+ brokers, advisors and staff in more than 200 offices across 500 markets.
Challenge
Parsons commercial was looking for a way to add additional revenue streams to their properties, while cutting costs for their clients at the same time. Their buildings were huge and operational and maintenance costs were significant year over year.
Solution
Parsons Commercial Group and two of its tenants at 35 Lyman Street in Northborough, MA — Active Logistics and ViewPoint Sign and Awning partnered to install a 475 kW solar PV system at their location in Northborough, MA.
Results
100% reduction of electricity costs
The system covers 100% of the electricity used on site and both Active and ViewPoint are saving money each month on their electric bill. Any “extra” electricity is transferred to other properties owned by PCG via Net Metering to offset the cost of the electricity in common areas.This installation is a great example of how building owners and its tenants can work together on a green energy solution.
Capital Group Properties is a full service real estate development company headquartered in Southborough, Massachusetts. Capital Group Properties specializes in the permitting, construction and property management of commercial, residential, retail, and industrial developments throughout Massachusetts.
Challenge
Motivated by its desire to help the environment, control facility and tenant costs across its properties in the MetroWest Boston area, Capital Group saw solar as an opportunity to turn the challenge of energy costs into an opportunity. After installing their first rooftop array in 2011 and realizing the benefits of owning a system, CGP decided to go all in on solar with a large scale solar farm.
Solution
Capital owns the system, which will expand across 4 acres, and connect it to its “house” meter on the property. Using Net Metering – i.e., receiving “credit” for electricity generated in excess of what is consumed – Capital offsets 100% of their common cost electricity usage at various other buildings in the area which they also own, “greening” those buildings in the process.
Results
100% reduction of electricity costs
The Southborough project has been worked on collaboratively with several Town of Southborough departments, including the Conservation Commission, Assessor’s Office, and Building Department, as well as the National Grid engineering team, to arrive at a technically and environmentally sound solution. The system produces enough electricity to power close to 150 homes and equal the carbon sequestered from approximately 20,000 trees grown for 10 years.
With facilities in Norfolk, Marlboro and now Taunton MA featuring indoor synthetic grass turf boarded and unboarded fields, indoor driving ranges, basketball & futsal courts, outdoor lighted synthetic grass fields (Marlboro and Taunton), plus a lighted par 3 golf course (Norfolk), Fore Kicks operates the premier multi-purpose recreational facilities across the commonwealth.
Challenge
With a expansive facilities and demanding lighting, heating, and HVAC systems Forekicks was faced with a challenging energy bill and wanted to avoid raising costs for their membership programs too high to exclude any families.
Solution
Forekicks began a commitment to energy efficient green operation across their family of facilities. Solar was the logical next step in their evolution, with their newest facility being built/oriented to maximize their north/south exposure.
Results
By installing three arrays across their facilities in Marlborough, Norfolk and Taunton, Fore Kicks add over 880 kW of solar to the roofs of their buildings, to join the energy-efficient lighting systems (LED is being explored) and HVAC systems, and on-site recycling programs. Fore Kicks was able to put their energy expenses in check, and keep their programs affordable.
