Project Category: Commercial Real Estate

Capital Group Properties (CGP) is a full-service real estate development company headquartered in Southborough, Massachusetts. Capital Group Properties specializes in permitting, constructing, and managing commercial, residential, retail, and industrial properties throughout Massachusetts.

Challenge

Motivated by its desire to help the environment and control facility and tenant costs for its properties across the MetroWest Boston area, CGP decided to leverage solar power for its diverse benefits. After installing its first rooftop array in 2011 and realizing its merits, CGP decided to go for a large-scale solar farm.

Solution

CGP owns the system spanning 4 acres and connected to its “house” meter. Using Net Metering–receiving “credits” for the excess energy – they reduce the electricity costs for their other facilities in that area, further enhancing their green initiatives.

Results

A significant reduction in energy expenses

This project resulted from a joint venture driven by several Southborough town departments, including the Conservation Commission, Assessor’s Office, Building Department, and the National Grid engineering team. The system produces enough electricity to power close to 150 homes yearly and helps reduce the same amount of carbon as sequestered yearly by approximately 20,000 trees growing over ten years.

Parsons Commercial Group (PCG) is a commercial real estate company based in Framingham, MA.
They partner 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

As a reputed owner and operator of huge commercial buildings, the client explored options to increase revenue and reduce operational costs for its tenants.
They chose solar energy for its diverse environmental and financial benefits.

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 rooftop solar PV system for their shared facility.

Results

A significant reduction in electricity costs

The produced energy covers 100% of the facility’s electricity needs enabling both clients to save significantly on their monthly energy expenses. Any “extra” electricity is transferred to the other properties owned by PCG via Net Metering to offset the energy costs incurred by the common areas. This project epitomizes how building owners and tenants can work together to achieve a clean, affordable energy solution.

Milliston Commons is a popular retail plaza in Millis, MA, housing a large number of retail businesses, including a laundromat, a grocery store, and other small enterprises.

Challenge

Milliston Commons uses substantial electricity to light, cool, heat, and power the common areas, including the parking lot and more. As a result, their energy expenditure was massive and required to be addressed.

Solution

Milliston Commons partnered with Solect Energy to install solar projects on four of the plaza’s roofs to curb the increasing energy expenses.

Results

A significant reduction in electricity costs

The 653 kW system covers 100% of the plaza’s energy demand for the common areas and additional spaces and facilities, besides generating significant savings—as much as $130,000—and helping the client earn eligible federal and state incentives and a continued income from the sale of 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 their tenants. Previous efficiency upgrades included a new reflective roof, infrared 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 building’s energy needs, but owner Peter Schwarz wanted to take it further.

Solution

Through a net metering purchase agreement, Leewood Realty partnered with Solect to install a solar project on the roof, big enough to supply reduced-cost electricity to the neighboring Northern Essex Community College (NECC).

Results

$12,500 yearly savings on electricity costs

NECC purchases discounted solar energy, saving over $250,000 throughout the 20-year agreement period. It purchases 300,000 kWh of electricity annually, offsetting approximately 500,000 pounds of CO2 each year and 10,065,000 pounds over 20 years, pursuing its goal to achieve carbon neutrality with more vigor. Leewood, on the other hand, provides rooftop solar tours each year and contributes to a $2,000 annual scholarship for a 20 year-period for green courses for the NECC students.

Based in Gloucester, Massachusetts, the McNiff Company is a reputed property ownership group with properties across the state.

Challenge

The client was looking for a way to reduce the energy costs for one of its tenants, the Cape Ann Beer Co, running an energy-intensive business like brewing. Besides the financial benefits, the client was determined to contribute to environmental welfare and curb emissions.

Solution

Following his participation in a smaller solar project at the Glen Urquhart School, founder Jay McNiff explored the diverse benefits of solar energy and decided to make the much-needed transition which resulted in the installation of a 111 kW solar array.

Results

The McNiff tenant, Cape Ann Brewing Co, has a strong environmental commitment and as the primary off-taker of a large portion of the energy produced by the array will be able to cover 100% of their energy needs. Solect Energy was able to utilize the Massachusetts SREC 2 program resulting in attractive economic benefits for Cape Ann Brewing.

Rabina Properties is a real estate investment, development, and management firm based in New York. Family-owned and operated for three generations and in business for over 60 years, Rabina Properties owns more than 7 million square feet of apartment houses, office buildings, retail properties, and industrial sites.

Challenge

As a veteran real estate company, Rabina Properties is knowledgeable about maximizing property value and offering the best possible benefits to its tenants. Their objective behind going solar was to improve their property’s sustainability value and advocate environmental welfare.

Solution

Adding solar to the roof of their Auburn property allowed them to reduce the building’s operating costs significantly and share the savings with their tenants.

Results

A 70% reduction in electricity costs

Rabina Properties is projected to notice a 70% annual reduction in its electricity bill.
Besides, it received state and federal tax incentives and continues receiving an income from the sale of SRECs (Solar Renewable Energy Certificates—financial incentives based on the amount of solar energy a system generates), which bolsters Rabina’s annual revenue.