Eversource

Electricity Rates Are Rising Sharply This Year, Further Highlighting The Value Of Solar

Following the sharp rise in natural gas prices in 2021, electricity supply rates have climbed markedly entering 2022. Eversource’s residential electricity ‘supply’ rates, also known as ‘Basic Service’, or ‘generation’ rates, increased from $0.10753 at the end of December ’21 to $0.15764 at the beginning of January ’22. That represents a 47% increase. National Grid’s residential electricity ‘supply’ rates, also known as ‘Basic Service’, or ‘generation’ rates, increased from $0.09707 at the end of October ’21 to $0.14821 at the beginning of November ’21. This equals an increase of 53%. Higher rates from Eversource and National Grid, highlight the value of solar in both the higher producing warmer months and in winter.

A Natural Gas (Methane) Stove

Strong international demand for natural gas, and continued retirements of coal and nuclear power plants, have increased many regions reliance on the methane fuel. At the same time wind and solar capacity continues to lead new additions to the grid in the United States. For example, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) forecasts that 63% of all utility-scale electric generating capacity additions in 2022 will be solar (46%) and wind (17%).

In this environment, consistent solar production only becomes more important, and more valuable. To learn more about how Suntility can work with you to optimize your clean energy facility contact Suntility through the website or by phone at 508-538-4Sun.

Suntility is your trusted partner in success. Suntility provides renewable energy maintenance services, net metering credit services, owner’s agent services and consulting solutions to optimize facility reliability, performance and value.

By Michael on February 15, 2022

Don’t Let Your Net Metering Allocations Get Lost In The Utility Shuffle, Work With Suntility

Did you know that Eversource alone has over 1,730 accounts that allocate net metering credits?

Don’t let your net metering allocations get lost in the utility shuffle, work with Suntility.

Suntility’s Net Metering Credit Services are the solution to ensure that your utility credits are flowing smoothly and are being consistently and appropriately applied. This is critical to the economic viability of your solar array. For the largest solar installations, this annual value can easily reach into the hundreds of thousands of dollars and one or multiple months of errors by the utility can be extremely costly and have a seriously detrimental effect on financial returns. With Suntility’s detailed net metering credit monitoring, validation, reporting, and issue resolution, errors identified trigger immediate Suntility action and resolution. From a decade’s worth of experience in the New England renewable energy markets, Suntility has an extensive track record of recognizing issues quickly and achieving the best outcome for clients.

Suntility currently provides these essential solar asset management services to solar projects in Massachusetts and Vermont, covering the utility territories of Eversource, National Grid and Green Mountain Power.

Suntility’s clients include:

municipalities;
commercial real estate owners;
Fortune 500 energy companies;
financial institutions;
small businesses and more.

Suntility’s expertise in managing complex utility billing processes and tracking thousands of net metering transactions helps you know with confidence that you’re receiving the credits you deserve and that those credits are delivering the proper value.

Furthermore, maintaining a balance of the flow and use of net metering credits among the various allocation accounts can be an on-going challenge for facility owners and off-takers. Improper or outdated allocations can result in stranded credits or significant delays in the use of credits. Regularly re-balancing allocation ratios of net metering credits is an important element of maximizing the value of your net metering facility and is a key part of this Suntility service and Suntility’s value add. To learn more contact us today or go to https://www.suntilityelectric.com/net-metering-credit-services/

Suntility is your trusted partner in success. Suntility provides renewable energy maintenance services, utility credit services, owner’s agent services and consulting solutions to optimize facility reliability, performance and value.

Contact us at 508-538-4-Sun

By Michael on July 18, 2018

Massachusetts Surpasses 2,000 MW Of Solar Installed

Just this week Massachusetts surpassed 2,000 MW of solar installed across the Commonwealth. According to the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) this includes 78,646 projects across all 351 communities in the state. https://www.mass.gov/news/commonwealth-achieves-solar-milestone

A Suntility-Managed Massachusetts Solar Array

This news comes the same week that The Solar Foundation released a report detailing that the Massachusetts solar industry lost jobs versus the prior year. The industry cross currents in Massachusetts are likely due to a number of factors including the delays associated with the anticipated new solar compensation program starting in 2018, SMART, as well as the exhausted net metering caps for much of the state, primarily in National Grid territory.

Solar capacity growth in the state is anticipated to continue, however a protracted transition period to the SMART program is expected to slow larger projects as the program starts up in mid-2018.

A renewed focus on in-state solar and wind may also follow the recent turmoil the Eversource/Hydro-Quebec project, also commonly known as Northern Pass, has faced as that project was unanimously rejected by a key New Hampshire siting board. Northern Pass was expected to bring a significant amount of imported hydropower from Quebec through New Hampshire to Massachusetts.

Massachusetts has size-able untapped solar and wind resources close to load centers – where that electricity is used. Locally-sited distributed resources help reduce the need for unnecessary transmission and grid infrastructure.

To learn more contact us at 508-538-4Sun

By Michael on February 9, 2018

Sippican Community Solar Garden® Project receives prestigious 2016 Photovoltaic Project of Distinction Award

The nation’s premier approach to community solar, exhibited with the Sippican Community Solar Garden® Project, receives prestigious 2016 Photovoltaic Project of Distinction Award.

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) presented My Generation Energy and Enphase Energy with the award at the Solar Power PV Conference & Expo – Boston on February 24, 2016.

The Sippican Community Solar Garden Project, 912kW, demonstrates a number of unique design features as well as a one-of-a-kind program approach for the purchasers of the output. The project team consisted of My Generation Energy, Inc. (installation and design) as well as Suntility Electric, LLC (Cooperative setup, enrollment and program management).

To improve the effectiveness of the site in Marion, Massachusetts, and reduce project and on-going costs a new microinverter solution from Enphase, the C250, was paired with high efficiency panels. This high voltage microinverter solution eliminated the need to install site mini-transformers, improves the capacity factor of the installation and reduces future maintenance costs. This solution, with it’s simple cabling, also helped speed the project construction during a winter that featured exceptionally harsh conditions for the Northeast.

The purchasers of the output, in the form of net metering credits, from the project include a Cooperative and a local financial institution. The Sippican Community Solar Garden Cooperative leverages the purchasing power of a large group and aids hundreds of community members in receiving substantial direct savings on their electric bills over ten years. From across 23 towns in Southeastern Massachusetts members of the Cooperative span from low-income, to condo owners, to small businesses, families, faith organizations, non-profits and more.

This Cooperative approach continues the success of a program pioneered in Brewster, Massachusetts, with the Brewster Community Solar Garden Cooperative, which was one of the first community shared solar programs implemented in the nation in 2012. The Brewster project, 346kW, was spearheaded by the same project team as the Sippican project, and has consistently exceeded production expectations and was one of the inspirations for the Community Shared Solar designation in the SREC-2 program in Massachusetts that the Sippican project has achieved. My Generation Energy and Suntility Electric are pursuing additional projects of this nature.

By Michael on March 4, 2016

Press Release – The Sippican Community Solar Garden is Set to Power Up in a Matter of Weeks

– Press Information –

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 22, 2015

Contact: Michael Stone, Suntility Electric, LLC
(508)566-6322; michael@suntilityelectric.com
(508)538-4-Sun – www.SippicanCommunitySolarGarden.com

The Sippican Community Solar Garden® is
Set to Power Up in a Matter of Weeks
Cooperative Enrollment Deadline Set for April 10th at 5:00 p.m.

Photo: Eversource linemen make the final connections between the Sippican Community Solar Garden project in Marion, MA and the local grid

The Sippican Community Solar Garden project construction is all coming together. The utility has installed its new poles and wires to connect the site to their service. The transformer and main electrical components will be in place and connected on April 7th. The solar panel array installation will be complete on April 10th. With the subsequent inspections by the local and utility officials to be completed shortly thereafter, the system is on schedule to begin producing clean energy before the end of April.

“Despite the poor weather conditions…we are pleased with the remarkable progress made this winter; a true testament to the strength, experience and focus of our entire team.” – Luke Hinkle, Manager Suntility, LLC, Founder My Generation Energy, Inc.

The Sippican Community Solar Garden® Cooperative has also seen dramatic growth. At its current rate of growth the Cooperative will be filled within weeks–well before the last panel is installed on April 10th. Between the list of those requesting the Cooperative to reserve them spots (SunRights™) and those already signed up, the total exceeds the number of SunRights™ available.

Therefore, today, the Cooperative is announcing an enrollment deadline of April 10th at 5:00 pm. Those missing the deadline may very likely be relegated to the waiting list.

Those interested in joining should contact the Cooperative at 508-538-4Sun or go to the Cooperative website, www.SippicanCommunitySolarGarden.com.

Sippican Community Solar Garden Facts

SunRights Available: 160 Total
– A Limited Number Remain & Are Going On A First-Come First-Served Basis

SunRight Price: $5,000

SunRight Estimated Average Monthly Value At Current Rates : $67.50

SunRight Estimated Total Value Received At 10 Years At Current Rates: $8,000

SunRight Net Metering Value Guarantee: $7,200

SunRight & Membership Term: 10-years

Who Can Join: Eversource Electric Account Holders In Southeastern Massachusetts
– The Cooperative Includes Members from Over 18 Towns

Project Location: Marion, MA

Anticipated Project Commissioning: April 2015

Project Size: Over 900 kW (Approx. 3,000 Solar Panels)

Anticipated Annual Electricity Production: 1,265,000 kWh
– Enough To Power Over 180 Massachusetts Homes

System Design & Installation: My Generation Energy, Inc.

On-going Maintenance & Monitoring Providers: My Generation Energy & Suntility Electric

Sippican Community Solar Garden Management: Suntility Electric, LLC

About My Generation Energy, Inc.
My Generation Energy is a Southeastern Massachusetts based installer and developer of solar facilities. In the past five years, My Generation Energy has installed over 4 MW of solar power (17,000 panels) including hundreds of residential and small commercial systems in over 20 towns. A significant portion of this portfolio was developed under the Community Solar Garden and Unutility Electric® models for local-investor-owned projects. My Generation Energy has established a track record for on-time management with flawless inspections.

About Suntility Electric, LLC
Suntility’s experience on renewable energy projects spans nearly 200 systems across Massachusetts providing a range of management services for solar and wind facilities to maximize production and expand the community benefits of these clean energy sources. Suntility’s renewable energy management clients include community shared solar organizations, non-profits, local business owners, finance organizations, commercial real estate investors, industrial property owners, municipalities, homeowners and more.

– ### –

Those interested in participating in the Sippican Community Solar Garden should call 508-538-4-SUN. Updates can also be followed on www.SippicanCommunitySolarGarden.com.

By Michael on March 22, 2015

Press Release – Suntility Electric Announces Cape Cod Five to Serve as Local Solar Cooperative Anchor

– Press Information –

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 23, 2015

Contacts:
Michael Stone – Suntility Electric, LLC; (508)538-4-Sun; michael[at]suntilityelectric.com; www.SippicanCommunitySolarGarden.com

Daniel Balkin – The Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank; (508) 247-5684; dbalkin[at]capecodfive.com; www.capecodfive.com

Suntility Electric Announces Cape Cod Five
to Serve as Local Solar Cooperative Anchor

As NSTAR/Eversource announced its electricity rates have increased a whopping 29%, a new solar project aimed at guarding against those increases is being anchored by The Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank. As anchor, the Cape Cod Five is supporting the establishment of a separate non-profit energy Cooperative. This Cooperative in turn, offers local residents and businesses savings on their monthly electric bills for the next ten years. The residents and businesses of Southeastern Massachusetts can share the benefits by joining the Sippican Community Solar Garden Cooperative.

As the project Anchor, Cape Cod Five will significantly enhance the bank’s initiative to move to renewable forms of energy to power its operations. Nearly twenty percent of the Bank’s total electrical usage will be supplied by solar electricity from the Sippican Community Solar Garden project.

Cape Cod Five’s participation in the anchor role allows more than half the total energy generated at Sippican Community Solar Garden site to go to the Cooperative members. This important factor was expressed by Dorothy A. Savarese, President and CEO, The Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank, “We are pleased to be the anchor for the Sippican Community Solar Garden project. It furthers our community commitment to be a responsible business, that is environmentally sensitive, and it also enables other area residents and businesses to benefit from this clean energy, produced locally and economically.”

Joining the Cooperative means purchasing one or more SunRights™ which entitles the member to receive credits on their electric bills for at least ten years. What is powering these electric bill credits? The savings are straight from the sun in the form of solar electricity at the project site. Credits earned at the site are then transferred to the accounts of the participants as dollar credits on their monthly NSTAR bills. There is a bonus as well. The more electricity rates go up,the more a member will save. The total number of SunRights available is limited though, so the Cooperative is already seeing high demand.

Like its predecessor, the Brewster Community Solar Garden, the project is based locally. This ensures the most economic benefit for the communities it serves. That keeps our energy dollars close to home.

About The Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank

Founded in 1855, The Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank is an independent state-chartered savings bank with over $2.6 billion in assets. Through its 22 offices, The Cape Cod Five offers a broad range of financial products and services to customers living on Cape Cod, the Islands and the neighboring areas. Services include consumer and commercial banking products; residential mortgages; investment management and trust services. Member FDIC.

About My Generation Energy, Inc.

My Generation Energy is a Southeastern Massachusetts based installer and developer of solar facilities. In the past five years, My Generation Energy has installed over 4 MW of solar power (17,000 panels) including hundreds of residential and small commercial systems in over 20 towns. A significant portion of this portfolio was developed under the Community Solar Garden and Unutility Electric® models for local-investor-owned projects. My Generation Energy has established a track record for on-time management with flawless inspections.

About Suntility Electric, LLC

Suntility’s experience on renewable energy projects spans nearly 200 systems across Massachusetts providing a range of management services for solar and wind facilities to maximize production and expand the community benefits of these clean energy sources. Suntility’s renewable energy management clients include community shared solar organizations, non-profits, local business owners, finance organizations, commercial real estate investors, industrial property owners, municipalities, homeowners and more.

Additional Sippican Community Solar Garden Quotes

“Cape Cod Five is excited to be part of this community project, and for the chance it provides us to further our commitment to our Green Initiative, whereby we are always seeking ways to lesson our impact on the environment. The Bank and its namesake foundation have long supported environmental causes, and the Community Solar Garden concept presents us with a solid opportunity to make a smart business decision which also serves to supports this agenda. It is our hope that by participating in this way, we will also help make the benefits of renewable power available to those who, for whatever reason, may not be able to participate where they currently reside or work.”
-Christopher Raber, Senior Vice President, The Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank

“Community solar will drive significant electricity savings for its members for years to come. Along with our anchor Cape Cod Five, Suntility Electric is pleased to make this clean energy opportunity available to the residents and organizations of Southeastern Massachusetts. This is an important step toward energy independence for our region.”
– Michael Stone, Manager, Suntility Electric, LLC

“This Community Solar Garden project follows on the success of the Brewster Community Solar Garden, now in its third year. Those who missed out on that opportunity have another chance to join the cooperative movement in energy savings.”
– Luke Hinkle, Manager, Sippican Community Solar Garden, LLC

“We are excited to provide another high-performance installation for a Community Solar project in our region. While we are focused on installing solar on homes and businesses throughout Southeastern Massachusetts, it’s a privilege to join this effort in providing another alternative to high electricity prices.”
– Andrew Wade, President, My Generation Energy, Inc.

Sippican Community Solar Garden Cooperative Facts

SunRights Available: 160
SunRight Price: $5,000
SunRight Net Metering Value Guarantee: $7,200
SunRight & Membership Term: 10-years
SunRight Average Monthly Value : $60
Who Can Join: NSTAR Electric Account Holders in Southeastern Massachusetts
Project Location: Marion, MA
Project Commissioning: 2015
Project Size: 914 kW (3,264 Solar Panels)
Anticipated Annual Electricity Production: 1,250,000 kWh
System Design & Installation: My Generation Energy, Inc.
On-going Maintenance & Monitoring Providers: My Generation Energy & Suntility Electric
Sippican Community Solar Garden Management: Suntility Electric, LLC

Those interested in participating in the Sippican Community Solar Garden Cooperative should call 508-538-4-SUN. Updates can also be followed on www.SippicanCommunitySolarGarden.com.

By Michael on February 27, 2015