Hopkinton church to reduce electricity costs up to 50% with renewable solar energy installation.
HOPKINTON, MA – September 30, 2012 – Faith Community Church of Hopkinton (FCCH) and Hopkinton-based Solect Energy Development have flipped the switch on a new solar photovoltaic (PV) renewable energy system on the roof of the church, a project that will help the church save significantly on its annual energy costs. Through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), Solect will provide electricity to FCCH at reduced rates.
Solect installed a 160.7 kW solar system on the roof of the 80,000-square-foot East Main Street facility, which was remodeled and expanded in 2003. The system is expected to reduce the church’s energy costs by more than 50 percent. The project includes 684 panels on the facility’s roof, producing approximately 180,000 kWhs (kilowatt hours) of electricity per year. Solect managed the project end to end, from an initial feasibility assessment, through the design and engineering stage to installation. Solect will also provide ongoing monitoring and maintenance for the system.
“We’re excited to partner with Solect Energy Development with a solution that will provide us a significant discount on our energy costs while also utilizing green solutions for our needs,” said Faith Community Church Lead Pastor Michael Laurence. “Solect Energy Development is a company that we trust and we’ve enjoyed working with them.”
According to Charla Espinosa, project liaison for FCCH, the church undertook the project for two main reasons: environmental consciousness and cost savings. “One of our principles is to be good citizens and give back to the community, and this is a good way to do that. The project has been very well-received by our membership,” Espinosa said. “The aesthetics are very nice, and the look fits in very well with the church overall.”
“Solar energy is a great solution for non-profit organizations that are looking to reduce their energy costs,” said Steve Bianchi, business development partner at Solect Energy Development. “Because non-profit organizations such as churches are not eligible for the federal and state incentives for deploying renewable solar energy solutions, a Power Purchase Agreement is a great way for them to reduce their costs through solar without a large capital expenditure. We’re pleased to partner with Faith Community Church on this project to reduce their energy costs, which will help them fund other important activities.
About Solect Energy Development, LLC
Solect is a full service solar photovoltaic (PV) project developer based in Hopkinton, MA. Solect’s turnkey solutions include: feasibility assessments, financial and incentive modeling, funding options, regulatory expertise, design and engineering, installation, and on-going management and maintenance. The company currently has 10 MW (megawatts) of systems completed and under development, with a primary focus on New England-based commercial, light industrial, and institutional property owners. Visit www.solect.com for more information.
