Company deploys 23.5 kW solar energy system, saves up to $11,000 annually
ARLINGTON, MA—June 18, 2014—American Alarm and Communications, New England's largest independent security systems integration and monitoring company, has deployed a 23.5 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) system on the roof of its Arlington headquarters in partnership with Hopkinton-based Solect Energy Development. The system is expected to offset more than $3,000 in annual electricity costs and generate more than $8,000 in revenue from Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs), saving the company $11,000 annually.
American Alarm's 30,000-square-foot headquarters houses administrative offices, a parts warehouse, and a 24-7 Security Command Center, which is the nerve center for the company's customer security monitoring and service dispatch operations. Most of the company’s electricity is used for lighting, IT systems, communications systems, and security and environmental control systems.
"We wanted to do more to help improve the environment, and the current tax incentives make a compelling financial case for solar energy in terms of return on investment," said Louis Sampson, chief financial officer for American Alarm. "The installation needed to proceed without disruption to our operations and to integrate well with our facility. Solect managed the entire project very well."
American Alarm was able to take advantage of state and federal tax incentives, including SRECs, which solar system owners earn based on the amount of solar energy their system generates. SRECs are ultimately purchased by electrical utility providers in Massachusetts to help them meet their state-mandated goals of a percentage of power coming from renewable energy sources.
Solar is just the latest in American Alarm's green initiatives. The company also has implemented paperless processes where possible, instituted recycling at its offices, upgraded most of its lighting fixtures to LED, and shifted its fleet to smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles.
"American Alarm is the perfect example of a company that's really doing its part for the environment, and their new solar system was the obvious next step for the company," said Alex Keally, business development partner at Solect Energy Development. "The available incentives really were the icing on the cake, and the company will benefit from years of generating renewable solar energy."
About American Alarm
Founded in 1971, American Alarm and Communications Inc. is a leading independent security systems integration firm in New England, with over 200 employees serving more than 22,000 residential, commercial and public sector customers. The company owns and operates a 24-hour Security Command Center (Underwriters Laboratories UL Certified Central Station) in Arlington, Massachusetts, solely dedicated to monitoring its customers' security systems. From its offices in Arlington, Auburn and Randolph Mass. (Advanced Signal division), Manchester, N.H. and its Electronic Alarms division in Warwick, R.I., American Alarm companies protect all classes of property, from single-family homes to multi-site banks and retail operations, to major public and historic venues. For more information see www.americanalarm.com.
