WOBURN, Mass. – June 29, 2013 – NuPath Inc., a non-profit organization that provides people with disabilities the support needed to live, work, learn, grow and to participate to their fullest potential in their community has partnered with Solect Energy Development of Hopkinton to install a 72 kW solar PV (photovoltaic) solar renewable energy system on the roof of its New Boston Road headquarters. Under the terms of the PPA (power purchase agreement), Solect owns the system and sells electricity back to NuPath at a highly reduced rate.
As a nonprofit, NuPath was not eligible for the state and federal incentives that make deploying solar solutions in Massachusetts so attractive. With only a 72 kW system possible because of the company’s roof size, there was not a lot of interest in working with NuPath on a PPA project, said Bill Yetz, Vice President of Finance for NuPath (www.nupathinc.org).
“We started looking at solar a few years ago because we wanted to do something to really show our commitment to projects that make a difference in the community,” said Yetz,. “Many of the solar companies we spoke with felt a project of this size was too small for a PPA, but Solect was willing to work with us to develop a system that met our goals and theirs. It has been a real partnership.”
The system, which was placed on the roof of NuPath’s 23,000-square-foot headquarters, is expected to help save NuPath up to $5,000 a year in electricity costs. After 15 years, NuPath will own the system outright and the annual savings will go even higher. “That is what is so terrific about this partnership – our potential to save goes up over time,” Yetz said.
“NuPath knew solar could help make a difference, but needed a partner that could help them reach their goals,” said Alex Keally, business development partner with Solect. “It has been a pleasure to work with NuPath on this project, and we look forward to helping them reduce their energy costs across the length of the agreement.”
