Solar initiative the latest clean energy effort from memorial youth organization
October, 10, – Winchendon, MA -- The Clark Memorial YMCA has partnered with Solect Energy of Hopkinton, MA and PowerOptions of Boston, MA to install two solar energy systems totaling 275 kilowatt (kW) on the roof of its fieldhouse and main building in Winchendon, MA. The solar arrays are expected to cover over 80% of the facility’s annual electricity use, and save the organization over $18,000 a year.
“We're an organization that promotes social responsibility, we felt it was important for us to do our part to help reduce our impact on the environment,” said Mike Quinn, Executive Director of the Clark Memorial YMCA. “We wanted to lead by example and solar was a very appealing avenue that offered a number of benefits that we could be proud to be a part of.”
“As a longtime customer of PowerOptions, we were immediately interested in exploring this new opportunity in solar. When we met with the PowerOptions and Solect Energy teams, they took the time to get to know us, and to want to partner with us, not just sell us something. That was important to us,” he added.
Clark Memorial YMCA and Solect entered into a Power Purchase Agreement (“PPA”) under which Solect owns and operates the solar array, and sells the power generated back to the organization at a reduced, fixed rate for a period of 20 years.
“We’re excited to work with Clark YMCA to bring clean energy to the community, and also help the organization achieve substantial energy cost savings,” said Alex Keally, VP of Business Development at Solect. “When you look at the savings over the course of the PPA, that’s real money that the Clark Y can invest back into their programs and the community.”
Prior to installing solar, the Clark Memorial YMCA had been doing its part to become more environmentally sustainable by encouraging recycling, conserving energy with responsible use policies, and recently converting the entire facility to LED lighting. The addition of solar is a significant step forward in the organization’s green initiatives.
In addition to this project, the Clark Y is also considering exploring further renewable energy initiatives, with the hopes of building a new youth center on campus powered by solar energy, as well as exploring ways to implement solar heating for their swimming pool, and water supply.
About Clark Memorial YMCA
The Wendell P. Clark Memorial YMCA is a nonprofit community service organization made possible because of charitable donations, member support, and dedicated employees and volunteers. We are devoted to the education, health, well-being, and the development of children, families, and their community focusing on Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility. We strive to incorporate the core values of honesty, caring, respect, and responsibility into everything we do.
Wendell Phillips Clark, born in 1842, possessed a love for community and a deep sense of commitment to the future welfare of Winchendon, by desiring to build a recreational facility for its residents. Accordingly, Wendell P. Clark provided for such a facility for the Town of Winchendon in his last will and testament. Through this, he directed the trustees of his estate “to buy land and erect a building in Winchendon as a community house for the people of the town, and to create a fund for its support. The building is to be known as the ‘Wendell P. Clark Memorial.’” He also stated that they (the trustees) may “deem it advisable” to establish a branch of the YMCA in town instead of a community house. Construction of the building began on March 12, 1953, and the formal dedication of the Clark Memorial took place on September 16, 1954 with an estimated 1200 people in attendance. Then, on November 25, 2008, the Clark Memorial proudly became a chartered Independent Association of the National Council of YMCA’s. The generosity and civic pride of Wendell P. Clark will be shared with all the residents of Winchendon and surrounding towns for generations to come. Such a sense of community should not soon be forgotten.
About Solect Energy
Solect is a full-service solar photovoltaic (PV) project developer and installer based in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, delivering smart solar and energy management solutions to help businesses and organizations reduce energy costs. As an industry leader in commercial-scale solar energy, Solect takes a practical approach to the development, installation and on-going support of each system. We partner closely with our customers, providing strong financial insight and solar technology expertise to optimize their investment while creating a positive impact on the environment. Solect currently has installed over 40 MW (megawatts) of commercial PV systems, with a primary focus on commercial, light industrial and institutional properties in New England. For more information, visit http://www.solect.com or follow us on Twitter at @SolectSolar.
About Power Options
Headquartered in Boston, Mass., PowerOptions is the largest energy buying consortium of its kind in New England, serving nearly 500 nonprofit organizations and government entities with combined annual energy sales of approximately $200 million. With a 95 percent member retention rate, a proven supplier selection process and a dedication to personalized customer service, PowerOptions provides programs, services and solutions that educate and bring value to its membership. Established in 1998, any nonprofit or public institution in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut is eligible to participate in this collective purchasing effort. For more information, visit www.poweroptions.org.
.
