The Old Sturbridge Village (OSV), the largest outdoor history museum in the Northeast, epitomizes a rural New England town from the 1830s. Guests are invited into over 40 original buildings, including homes, meeting houses, a district school, a country store, a bank, a working farm, three water-powered mills, and trade shops across over 200 scenic acres.
Challenge
OSV’s objectives were manifold: deploy solar energy to reduce energy expenses, ensure predictable energy costs, receive a hedge against rising energy prices, and finally, assume a leadership role in promoting environmental sustainability.
Solution
OSV was able to install its solar array with no up-front costs thanks to Green Street and Solect’s solar programs. According to the program, Solect Energy installed and assumed the responsibility to service the solar array, while Green Street agreed to own and operate the array. OSV receives the power generated at a fixed rate for 20 years under this Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).
Results
A 75% reduction in electricity costs
The system is estimated to produce 2,238,878 kilowatt hours (kWh) annually – enough power to offset nearly 75% of the museum’s annual energy needs. The amount of electricity produced annually by the array is enough to charge 440,640,000 smartphones or take 351 cars off the road each year.
NuPath is a human services agency helping people with disabilities live fulfilling life despite their many challenges and difficulties. They are a nonprofit organization dedicated to essential support services and innovative solutions.
Challenge
NuPath experienced several obstacles to implementing solar. As a nonprofit, it wasn’t eligible for state and federal tax incentives. Additionally, its desired project size was considerably small, making it difficult for the nonprofit to find a solar developer willing to sign a PPA with them.
Solution
Solect Energy signed a PPA with NuPath to install a 72 kW system. Team NuPath acknowledged Solect’s responsiveness, innovation, and help in making this project a reality. Team Solect completed the project ahead of schedule and made sure the building traffic and operational rhythm remained uninterrupted while the project was underway.
Results
$5,000 yearly savings on electricity costs
Solect owns the system and sells the produced electricity to NuPath at a highly reduced rate, saving them up to $5,000 yearly on electricity costs.
Temple Aliyah is an egalitarian conservative congregation in Needham, Massachusetts, with a warm and inviting atmosphere. Their congregation is dynamic and diverse, embracing people from all walks of life.
Challenge
Temple Aliyah makes sincere and constant efforts to reduce the synagogue’s carbon footprints and operational costs. The motivation behind their solar implementation was to develop a healthier and cleaner community for everyone.
Solution
As a member of PowerOptions’ energy buying consortium for several years, Temple Aliyah approached them for assistance with their solar adoption. The temple signed a PPA with Solect, powered by PowerOPtions, that helps nonprofits and public entities across New England transition to solar energy.
Results
A 92% reduction in electricity costs
The solar project comprises 265 photovoltaic (PV) panels and annually produces 85,170-kilowatt hours (kWH) of energy. The power generated covers 92% of the synagogue’s energy needs. It is projected that Temple Aliyah will save approximately $245,000 over the 20-year PPA period.
The Brockton Area Arc is a local chapter of The Arc, a national nonprofit organization. They promote independence, respect, and dignity and advocate for the rights and general welfare of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities on local, state, and national levels.
Challenge
The Brockton Area Arc thoroughly discussed a solar implementation plan with Solect and got enlightened on its various aspects. Team Solect designed the best-suited solar project for the client and offered them rich insights on the benefits of a Power Purchase Agreement, which funded their much-needed solar project.
Solution
The Brockton Area Arc installed its solar array with no up-front costs thanks to the PowerOptions and Solect solar program. Under the program, Solect Energy financed, installed, and assumed the responsibility for servicing the solar array on the client’s roof. In exchange, Arc receives the power generated at a fixed rate for 20 years under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) driven by PowerOptions.
Results
$15,000 reduction in electricity costs
The Brockton Area Arc anticipates the array will cover nearly 100% of its annual electricity consumption with a projected yearly savings of more than $15,000, further supporting its programs and services for the betterment of the community.
Community Rowing Inc. (CRI) fosters ‘rowing for all’ while constantly striving to improve lives and communities by providing access to the sport of rowing to individuals regardless of ability, background, or experience.
Challenge
As a nonprofit, CRI didn’t have the capital readily available to invest in a solar project but wanted to enhance its state-of-the-art headquarters, already equipped with various renewable components. Their facility’s renewable features include a geothermal well with an underground tank storing excess rainwater for maintenance and irrigation, strategically designed louvers to optimize the supply of natural light and air, bi-folding operable vents, glass shingles, and more.
Solution
CRI opted for a PPA with Solect, facilitated by PowerOptions to install a no-cost solar array on their campus, with Solect taking care of the system management and maintenance.
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 company. The PPA agreement lasts 20 years, during which CRI is projected to save over $188,000 on energy costs, boosting their efforts to enrich the community.
The Fairhaven Housing Authority (FHA) is a public housing provider that owns and manages 284+ affordable housing units in Fairhaven for low-income elderly and differently-abled individuals and families.
Challenge
The Fairhaven Housing Authority replaced one of its projects’ outdated natural gas system with electric heat and realized that the new electric system would negatively impact its utility budget. As a PowerOptions member for about 10 years, FHA sought their help to go solar and optimize their energy savings.
Solution
FHA decided to implement solar and signed a PPA with Solect, supported by PowerOptions. According to the contract, Solect installed, owns, and operates the solar array on the organization’s roof. In exchange, it sells the power generated back to the organization at a fixed rate for 20 years as stipulated by the contract.
Results
A 40% reduction in electricity costs
This project involved an additional challenge stemming from the facility’s cement roof and location in a high-wind zone (140 mph), making installing a standard roof-mounted PVC system difficult. Solect installed a cutting-edge SolarPod Crown racking, perfect for the roof’s nature and robust enough to withstand strong wind. FHA anticipates the array to support up to 40% of its facility’s annual electricity demand and projects an estimated savings of $467,000 over the 20-year agreement period.
Tempus Unlimited (formerly Cerebral Palsy of Massachusetts) provides a range of community-based services that support the efforts of children and adults with disabilities to live as independently as possible.
Challenge
Tempus Unlimited, dedicated to reducing its carbon footprint, upgraded its HVAC system, transitioned to LED lighting, and wanted to take further steps toward sustainability. The organization partnered with Solect to explore solar implementation to further improve their building’s energy profile. Our development team advised the organization first to replace its roof and designed the best-suited solar project tailored to its energy consumption and savings goals.
Solution
Solect’s design and installation team worked closely with Tempus Unlimited to develop a robust project plan which was successfully executed following the roof’s replacement.
Results
A 30% reduction in electricity costs
Solar energy made a significant impact on Tempus Unlimited’s energy profile. Electricity costs have been cut by over 30% and the resulting savings allow the organization to buttress its programs and offer more comprehensive services for its clients.
For more than 55 years, the MetroWest YMCA has driven community welfare across the region and helped Framingham and the surrounding towns to thrive. Annually more than 20,000 children, adults, and seniors living and working in MetroWest communities are served by this organization. Additionally, it offers skill-building activities and leadership development opportunities to the youth.
Challenge
The organization explored ways to control the rising energy costs stemming from features like indoor pools and their modern early-education center and wellness areas. They decided to switch to solar to optimize energy savings and foster the development of a cleaner and greener community.
Solution
MetroWest signed a PPA with Solect, supported by PowerOptions. According to the contract, Solect Energy installed, owns, and operates the solar array on the organization’s roof. In exchange, it sells the power generated back to the organization at a fixed rate for 20 years as stipulated by the contract.
Results
A 13% reduction in electricity costs
MetroWest YMCA anticipates the array to cover up to 13% of its facility’s annual electricity demand and save more than $10,000 annually. Switching to solar significantly enhanced their commitment to sustainability, encouraging them to explore further opportunities to install solar projects for their other facilities.
Founded in 1881 and governed by a 23-member board of directors, the Malden YMCA comprises 217 staff and 60 volunteers and provides services to over 10,000 individuals annually.
Challenge
Nonprofit organizations like the YMCA strive to maximize their budget to provide the best services possible to communities. Rising and fluctuating energy costs made it challenging for the YMCA to power its facility, leading it to consider solar as the solution.
Solution
Leveraging its relationship with PowerOptions, Malden YMCA signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Solect Energy and installed its much-needed solar project.
Results
A $16,000 annual reduction in electricity costs
The array is estimated to cover approximately 15% of the YMCA’s energy needs and generate approximately $400,000 in savings over the 25-year agreement period.
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