Cambridge, MA
System: Solar Electric (Photovoltaic)
Size: 26.3 kW
Type: Canadian Solar
Operating 73 buildings in Cambridge on a razor-thin budget, Homeowner’s Rehab, Inc. was constantly looking for ways to reduce expenses and help their bottom line. Having already reduced their carbon footprint by 21% in the six years prior, the organization was eager to embrace the launch of the Race to Solar program in the spring of 2014.
Homeowner’s Rehab, Inc. is a Cambridge-based non-profit organization whose mission is “to provide safe, affordable, decent, and sustainable housing” to mixed income communities that are “rich in ethnic and racial diversity.” SunBug installed solar PV systems at two properties to contribute both savings and income to the organization’s operating budget.
Project Highlights and Benefits:
Wellesley, MA
System: Solar Electric (Photovoltaic)
Size: 10.0 kW
Type: SunPower
Wellesley College called on SunBug Solar to install a 10 kilowatt ground-mount photovoltaic array, prominently located at the athletic fields. The system feeds electricity onto the college’s grid for lighting, irrigation and other needs. In addition to feeding electricity onto the college’s grid, the array serves as a focal point to inspire and educate the Wellesley community, especially the student body.
Over the next 30 years, the array will offset 264 tons of CO2, equivalent to eliminating the emissions from 30,000 gallons of gasoline, or the carbon sequestered annually from 56 acres of pine forest.
48 Evergreen Solar 210-watt photovoltaic panels, one Fronius IG Plus inverter. Output of over 13,000 kilowatt hours per year.
“As the college's first renewable energy system, this photovoltaic array serves as a cornerstone for Wellesley College's commitment to a sustainable future. Since 1875, our landscape has played a central role in the life of the college. To ensure its integrity for tomorrow's students, we must practice thoughtful environmental stewardship today.”
Patrick Willoughby, Director of Sustainability, Wellesley College
Medford, MA
System: Solar Electric (Photovoltaic)
Size: 99.2 kW
Type: SunPower
Tufts University supported the city of Medford’s Solarize program by choosing SunBug to design, install and operate a 99 kW solar energy system on their campus safety and student center.
SunBug and Tufts had a very short time frame to develop the project in the Solarize Medford program. SunBug provided the following:
Local private investor for project funding
Power purchase agreement development and terms negotiation
Rapid deployment requirement: Oct 2013 PPA to Dec 2013 build to April 2014 commissioning
Management for approvals: University Office of President, University insurance company, utility, University facilities department and Medford building department
Project compared favorably to Tufts other major solar project with SunEdison, 1 MW and 2 MW PPA in Grafton, MA
Framingham, MA
System: Solar Electric (Photovoltaic)
Size: 27.1 kW
Type: SunPower
First Parish in Framingham choose to install solar panels to reduce its carbon footprint. In the first three years of operation we have offset 46,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. Our overall goal is to make our church buildings carbon neutral by 2050.
Our system is rated at 27 KW and has 84 Sunpower panels installed. It has been operating now for three years maintenance free. It provides 85 % of the electricity requirements of our Parish House and Meeting House. Our panels are leased from the Technology Credit Corp. and were installed by SunBug Solar. SunBug Solar was also very helpful in getting our panels approved by the Framingham Historic District Commission. We had no upfront costs and are saving $ 1,000 to $ 1,500 per year on our electric costs. With our very visible location on the Framingham Town green, we hope that our panels will set an example and inspire other churches and home owners to install renewable solar energy.
Amherst, MA
System: Solar Electric (Photovoltaic)
Size: 24.9 kW
Type: SunPower
SunBug delivered a 10-year equipment lease to the church that fixed their annual lease payments and provided them with a clear path to ownership--all with a lifetime savings of about $106,000. The 25 kW PV system is situated on two flat roofs, and was installed in the height of 2012 New England winter, cold days and lots of snow. The church has a clear mission to be good stewards of the earth, and generating renewable energy is an important contribution for and from their community.
Marlborough, MA
System: Solar Electric (Photovoltaic)
Size: 142.0 kW
Type: Wattsun
A small school with a big heart, the independent Hillside School partnered with SunBug to develop and execute a comprehensive solar plan for the campus. Phase one has been completed, a 140 kW system on the main classroom building financed through a Power Purchase Agreement.
With the PPA model, Hillside locks in long-term electricity savings, and the project realizes all available federal tax credits. In the future, Hillside will purchase the system from the civic-minded investor Chava Energy.
Not satisfied with merely installing photovoltaics, Hillside faculty worked with SunBug to integrate the array's real-world lessons about solar production and environmental impact into the curriculum. In addition to assisting with the development of course materials, SunBug designed a "mobile solar lab" that offers students the hands-on experience of measuring and testing photovoltaic solar cell performance.
Arlington, MA
System: Solar Electric (Photovoltaic)
Size: 36.6 kW
Type: SunPower
In 2014, the First Parish Arlington chose SunBug Solar to provide a solar energy system on their unique modern church.
Brookline, MA
System: Solar Electric (Photovoltaic)
Size: 44.0 kW
Type: SunPower
Corey Hill Condominium Association in Brookline wanted to reduce their common area electricity expenses by installing a solar energy system. They contacted numerous solar installation companies to discuss their project, but time and time again every solar installer informed Corey Hill that, “We don’t do condos.” Then they discovered SunBug Solar.
SunBug embraced the Corey Hill project, and was selected to design and install a 47-kilowatt rooftop solar PV system that reduces Corey Hill’s reliance on fossil fuel grid power, slashes their operating expenses, and generates an income stream for the homeowners association.
Project Highlights and Benefits:
10-year solar production incentive income for the HOA: $160,000
Projected 30-year common area energy cost savings: $300,000
More than $100,000 of tax credit and rebates distributed directly to unit owners
Financed with a low-interest rate bank loan whose payments are fully covered by common area electricity expense savings
Reduces carbon emissions by 1,100 metric tons over 30 years
