PowerOptions, the largest energy-buying consortium in New England, has expanded its relationship with Solect Energy to offer large-scale solar + storage to its members. Solect has been PowerOptions’ partner for the Small Systems Solar Program for more than four years, and will continue in that role as well.
Solect Energy is now able to offer solar PV + storage solutions of any size to PowerOptions’ members looking to reduce their electricity costs and transition to renewable energy resources. Offerings include rooftop solar energy systems, solar canopies for parking lots, ground mounts, net-metering solutions and battery storage systems. Solect’s solar + storage on-site Power Purchase Agreements will provide an offset of peak demand charges when utility power is most expensive. Additionally, the program will secure incentives and cost-savings through utility, state and ISO New England programs available for solar and battery configurations.
PowerOptions’ membership is comprised of more than 450 members from nonprofit organizations and public entities, such as state agencies, cities, towns and schools across Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island.
Every PowerOptions program is subject to a robust competitive procurement process. Leveraging the collective demand of the consortium allows PowerOptions to negotiate contract agreements with energy solutions providers that provide its members with optimal pricing and strong customer protections. Programs include competitive supply for electricity, natural gas and solar, among others.
Through PowerOptions’ partnership with Solect, members can contract for solar + storage PPAs at building sites and offsite locations. PPAs are a highly effective tool for municipal, state and nonprofit customers that are not eligible for the federal Investment Tax Credit, enabling those entities to not invest capital yet still receive the benefits of solar + storage systems for their facilities.
Municipal entities, schools and nonprofits going solar through the PowerOptions/Solect partnership benefit from no capital investment, no ongoing operating and maintenance costs, and no competitive bidding process because PowerOptions has already undertaken the required steps on behalf of its members. The result of this partnership is the ability to create substantial savings for members electing to participate.
“Over the past four years, Solect has proven to be a strong solar partner. The expanded solar and storage program will provide our members greater opportunities for sustainable solar power and significant savings under the recently revised Massachusetts’ SMART 2.0 incentive regime,” said PowerOptions president and CEO Heather Takle.
“Solect’s solar and storage PPAs are delivering fantastic benefits for communities, agencies, school districts and institutions. I’m proud to be part of a team doing great work with our customers. As the solar and storage technology developer, integrator, financier and services manager, we work hard to deliver. We truly consider each and every project a public-private partnership,” said Solect Energy VP and general manager of development Matt Shortsleeve.
Under the PowerOptions Small Systems Solar Program, Solect has installed more than 80 projects totaling 15 megawatts of solar energy, saving tens of millions of dollars over the life of the agreement for cities, towns, schools, state agencies and nonprofits in Massachusetts. The Small Systems Solar Program applies to solar energy systems of less than 300 kilowatts capacity and this program will continue in conjunction with the Large-Scale Solar program.
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