Commercial - Northeast Smart Energy

Commercial, Non-Profit and Municipal Projects

By installing a PV Solar array nearly all buildings can reduce operating costs while also helping the environment. Each building is unique and since Northeast Smart Energy is a complete “turn-key” solar company which has sales, design, procurement and installation all in-house, we insure a quality result. Our systems perform as designed, which results in highly satisfied customers.

Many building owners purchase solar out-right. However, due to the fact that most New England states offer special solar credits which are paid to solar system owners for the electricity generated by solar, investors have become interested. The solar credits, along with state and federal tax incentives motivate investors to offer free solar installations on buildings in return for a fixed low solar electricity payment over 20 years. See below for an example of this method of financing (PPA – Power Purchase Agreement).

Case Study - Non-Profit Organization

A non-profit organization was interested in the potential for solar energy to not only save them money on their electric costs, but also to help make a difference for the environment. They also liked the idea of using a renewable energy installation as a way to help their supporters learn about the science of renewable energy. Unfortunately, the non-profit did not have the funds, nor the tax appetite, to pay for the system themselves. As a non-profit organization they could not benefit from the solar investment tax credit of 30%.

The non-profit organization asked Northeast Smart Energy to develop alternative options for them to install solar. After performing a cursory audit, Northeast Smart Energy reviewed their energy consumption, electricity rate and utility bills and determined that the non-profit would be a good candidate for a power purchase agreement (PPA). In a PPA structure, the non-profit would pay nothing for the solar system. A solar investor would pay for the solar system to be installed on the roof of the non-profit organization. In return, the non-profit organization would enter into a long term electricity purchase agreement with the owner of the solar array. The non-profit decideded to pursue this option.

The result was that the non-profit organization will save almost 50% on their electricity costs each year by using solar energy. Each year the non-profit is expected to save $8,610 on electricity costs. Over 20 years, the non-profit is expected to save almost $260,000 (over a quarter of a million dollars!).