National Grid

National Grid, Massachusetts Electricity and Gas Utility

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

Suntility’s Community Shared Solar Services Expand Electricity Savings Opportunities in Massachusetts

Suntility’s market experience and expertise in Massachusetts are driving results for renewable energy installation owners and parties to renewable energy agreements. One of Suntility’s most unique offerings, Community Shared Solar Services, further expands Suntility’s focus on providing significant value to those in the Massachusetts renewable energy market.

Sippican Community Solar Garden Presentation in Brewster November 5th

With the Sippican Community Solar Garden® Cooperative, a Community Shared Solar project in Southeastern Massachusetts, the reach and scope of Suntility services spans nearly all electricity users in the area. In this new Cooperative, modeled on the highly successful Brewster Community Solar Garden® Cooperative, participants purchase SunRights™. Each SunRight™ is $5000 and provides at least $7200 worth of credits to offset the member’s electric bills. Therefore, one SunRight™ saves a member at a minimum $2200. These credits are produced locally by the Sippican Community Solar Garden® Project.

In a time of rapidly rising electricity rates, and following NSTAR and National Grid’s huge electric price hikes of around 30%, SunRights™ offer a tremendous alternative to being stuck with an increasingly expensive electric bill. Simply put, the more electricity rates go up, the more SunRight™ holders save. Initial membership terms are 10 years.

For those that are NSTAR electric customers in Southeastern Massachusetts and are interested in capturing the savings offered by SunRights™ a series of presentations are being held locally.

Marion – December 1st at 6:30pm – Marion Music Hall – 164 Front St

Wellfleet – December 9th at 6:30pm – Wellfleet Public Library – 55 W Main St

Falmouth – December 11th at 7:00pm – Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve – 131 Waquoit Hwy

Visit www.SippicanCommunitySolarGarden.com to learn more or call 508-538-4-Sun. For additional info on this exciting development for Southeastern Massachusetts click on the following links.

Member Benefits & More

Who can join the Sippican Community Solar Garden® Cooperative?

Save $2200 on your electric bills with a SunRight™!

By Michael on November 26, 2014

Press Release – Southeastern Mass Electricity Users Set to Save Thousands Each

– Press Information –

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 2014

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

www.SippicanCommunitySolarGarden.com

Southeastern Mass Electricity Users Set to Save Thousands Each
Community Solar Garden® Delivers Electricity Savings

One of the state’s largest electric utilities just announced its electricity prices would rise a whopping 37%. Electricity price increases are painful, but not for members of a Community Solar Garden Cooperative.

Cooperative members are set to save in excess of $2200. By purchasing a Sunright™ at $5000 a member will receive $7200 worth of utility credits to offset their electric bills. There is a bonus as well. The more electricity rates go up, the more SunRight™ holders save. Electricity users not sure if one SunRight™ will be enough to cover their usage are purchasing multiple. The total number of SunRights™ available is limited though, so the Cooperative is already seeing high demand.

What is powering these electric bill credits? The savings are straight from the sun in the form of solar electricity. After all, few things are more predictable than this fuel source. The project is based locally, ensuring the most economic benefit for the communities it serves. That means greater energy independence. It also means less money is sent out of region for energy used by local homeowners, businesses and non-profits.

This is the clean energy everyone is excited about. Not only is it affordable, it is accessible. If a home or business isn’t ideal for a solar installation, that no longer matters. With SunRights™, members receive the same direct bill savings a solar installation offers except without the solar panels on their property. NSTAR electric customers in Southeastern Massachusetts are eligible to receive the rewards of this local renewable energy. For more info on how to achieve these savings on your electric bill and to sign up call 508-538-4-Sun.

Upcoming Community Solar Garden Events
All are welcome. Seating is limited.

Dartmouth – Oct. 28th at 7:00pm – Patron’s Hall Dartmouth Grange, 1133 Fisher Rd, Dartmouth, MA 02747

Harwich – Oct. 29th at 6:30pm – Harwich Community Center, 100 Oak St, Harwich, MA 02645

Brewster – Nov. 5th at 6:30pm – Brewster Ladies Library, 1822 Main St, Brewster, MA 02631

Falmouth – Nov. 11th at 7:00pm – First Congregational Church, 68 Main St, Falmouth, MA 02540

Sippican Community Solar Garden Quotes

“We’re proud to be a part of this project. Community solar will drive significant electricity savings for its members for years to come. Along with our partners, 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. Even more of the community can realize the benefits from this local renewable energy source. ”
– 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 thrill to join this effort in providing another alternative to high electricity prices.”
– Andrew Wade, President, My Generation Energy, Inc.

– ### –

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.

Sippican Community Solar Garden Facts

SunRights™ Available: 300
SunRight™ Price: $5,000
SunRight™ Net Metering Value Guarantee: $7,200
SunRight™ Average Monthly Value: $60
SunRight™ & Membership Term: 10-years
Who Can Join: NSTAR Electric Account Holders in Southeastern Massachusetts
Project Location: Marion, MA
Anticipated Project Commissioning: Early 2015
Anticipated Project Size: 950 kW (Approximately 3,000 Solar Panels)
Anticipated Annual Electricity Production: 1,265,000 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

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.

www.mygenerationenergy.com

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.

www.suntilityelectric.com

– ### –

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 October 13, 2014

Massachusetts Focuses on Expanding the Community Benefits of Solar

As the state is just days away from approaching 16,000 cumulative solar installations, following the announcement of a state total of over 15,000 solar projects from earlier this week, the next round of photovoltaic projects in the Commonwealth will be uniquely local and equally as innovative. As highlighted by Governor Deval Patrick in a recent keynote speech on solar,

“We have a solar revolution underway here in the Commonwealth…Solar is a key part of our clean energy future. That future won’t happen overnight because it can’t, but it will happen because it wants to. And it will be up to all of us to make it happen.”

In a bid to expand the scope of solar, increase consumer options, and clean energy access, the following segments of solar installation will play a more central role in the progress to Massachusetts’ goals of 1600MW of solar by 2020:

– Small residential and commercial;

– Solar canopy units;

– Emergency power generation units;

– Community shared solar generation units; and

– Low or moderate income housing generation units.

Encouraged by proven models such as the 346kW Brewster Community Solar Garden™, and recognizing the possibilities to increase participation in the benefits of solar, these market segments will be key drivers of solar adoption in the years to come.

Community shared solar generation for example provides true consumer choice, allowing homeowners, businesses, and non-profits the ability to derive their energy locally, and with 100% renewable electricity. The Brewster Community Solar Garden™ facility, featured in a 2014 Enphase Energy press release represents a shining example of how a diverse and vibrant group of stakeholders in a community can work together and prosper from locally sited solar. Installed by My Generation Energy which has installed solar from Martha’s Vineyard to Marion, and from Quincy to Wellfleet, the project is managed by the comprehensive suite of Suntility Electric‘s solar management solutions.

“The Brewster Community Solar Garden™ project, as the first Community Shared Solar Project in the state, with nearly 3 years of operational experience, truly demonstrates the positive reception, broad benefits and strength of this exciting model,” Suntility Manager Michael Stone. “This collaborative approach to solar has successfully driven the reach of this clean, quiet, local power from beyond individual rooftops to numerous electric accounts in the area.”

If you’re a Massachusetts resident, business, or non-profit interesting in participating in a community solar garden project near you contact us by entering your information here:

https://www.suntilityelectric.com/contact-us-today-for-a-free-consultation-or-for-more-info/

If you’re a solar or wind project owner and are interested in our leading renewable energy services please contact us or feel free to read these resources on:

Massachusetts Net Metering Credits;

Solar Renewable Energy Certificates in Massachusetts;

Solar Management in Massachusetts;

Wind Management in Massachusetts; and

the Brewster Community Solar Garden™.

About Suntility Electric, LLC

Suntility’s experience on renewable energy projects spans nearly 200 systems across Massachusetts including wind and solar providing a range of services including: professional monitoring; performance reporting; owner’s agent services; net metering credit services; agency reporting; SREC brokerage assistance; solar installation inspections and audits; NSTAR and National Grid bill audits; renewable energy consulting; solar maintenance; and more.

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.

To learn more contact us at 508-566-6322

By Michael on August 28, 2014

Need help managing your Massachusetts Net Metering Credits? You’re not alone.

Unclear on the Schedule Z, or even what it is? Managing a lot of electric accounts? and a high volume of net metering credits? Have you experienced challenges with the utilities in the past? Are net metering credits something that you don’t have expertise in or don’t have the bandwidth to do, or both?

Commercial and utility-scale wind and solar project owners in Massachusetts have received a diverse set of incentives over the years. These include: rebates; grants; tax credits; accelerated depreciation; renewable energy certificates; and net metering credits. Managing the last set of incentives – net metering credits – is very often the most cumbersome with the unique combination of arcane utility regulations and the constant administrative attention required.

Ensuring everything is done properly by your Massachusetts utility, WMECO, National Grid or NSTAR, is absolutely critical considering the significant value of these credits. Whether you are the solar or wind owner allocating the credits or the recipient of the credits, such as a municipality, it’s important to know that you’re getting your full value and you’re optimizing the value of this important incentive. Absent dedicated professional management of your net metering credits and net metering credit accounts, you could very easily be losing tens of thousands of dollars through your own mistakes or those of the utility. At Suntility we’ve discovered and corrected hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of utility and user net metering credit errors.

To get started in successfully navigating this key Massachusetts renewable energy program, contact Suntility today to learn about the advantages we can provide you and your project.

To learn more contact us at 508-566-6322

Additional articles you may be interested in, include:

Solar Monitoring – Peace of Mind & Better Results For Your Solar Installation

What is an SREC or REC?

The Value of Solar Operations & Maintenance (O&M)

By Michael on July 30, 2014

Suntility’s Holistic Approach to Solar Operations, Maintenance & Administration

According to Solar Power World Online, “Solar plant owners and investors face a daunting task calibrating all the levers of solar asset ownership to reap a strong ROI.” Even with limited and/or no moving parts, long warranties, no fuel requirements, and other benefits versus traditional capital equipment, commercial and utility-scale solar still presents a unique series of tasks required of investors to ensure the myriad blue collar and white collar roles are fulfilled to maximize return on investment.

Having dedicated industry professionals that understand everything from the technology to the regulations for your solar project(s) and that can efficiently manage both over time is fundamental to the long-term success of your investments in this growing clean energy resource. Working with Suntility you can be confident that the key multidisciplinary roles required of your facility will be fulfilled to ensure that your system is both producing as well as possible and as economically as possible. With deep industry experience spanning back to the beginning of commercial deployment in Massachusetts, and significant and diverse capacity under management across the state, Suntility is uniquely positioned to cost-effectively deliver the solar performance solutions that will benefit your project(s) long-term. Whether you require just a solar monitoring partner or our full suite of solar management solutions, our services and efficiency of expertise will allow you to focus on what you do best.

About Suntility Electric, LLC

To learn more contact us at 508-566-6322

By Michael on July 1, 2014

Suntility Manager Speaks at National Fire Protection Association Conference on Solar Power

Luke Hinkle, Manager of Suntility, spoke at the nation’s premier event on fire safety this past week in Las Vegas. This important discussion focused on safe design choices to significantly reduce potential hazards to property owners and fire fighters. Functioning in an owner’s agent role and as the managers of multiple megawatts of renewable energy across Massachusetts, Suntility views safety as not only a fundamental component in reducing risks and liability associated with these energy projects but also critically important to increasing overall system reliability and uptime. Luke Hinkle, Ph.D., also the Founder of My Generation Energy, has long advocated for solar safety considerations in design, installation, and system ownership, having presented on solar safety to the fire departments of the Massachusetts towns of Brewster, Falmouth, Sandwich and Tisbury on Martha’s Vineyard.

About Suntility Electric, LLC

To learn more contact us at 508-566-6322

By Michael on June 16, 2014

Cities & Towns Sign Solar Deals At An Accelerating Pace – Ensuring The Best Results Will Be Key

Massachusetts cities and towns are leading the way to a cleaner future having signed multi-decade multi-million dollar deals for solar energy. These municipalities have entered these long-term agreements with the prospect of receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars worth, and in some cases millions of dollars worth, of savings over the contract life. Municipalities can offer the solar projects a long-term revenue stream while the solar projects can offer cities and towns either discounted electricity and/or stable electricity prices.

Most of these arrangements don’t simply mean a direct discount to a city’s electric bill for example but require the local electric utility to transfer credits, called net metering credits, from the solar project electric account to the city’s electric account(s). These credits offset amounts that the city would have normally had to pay their utility such as NSTAR, WMECO or National Grid. Some cities and towns are receiving these credits on close to a hundred accounts. Naturally the complexity inherent in these arrangements needs to be properly managed and administered. Suntility’s Net Metering Credit Services do exactly that by providing critical tracking, verification and management of municipal solar deals. We work directly with cities or towns and/or with proactive solar project owners to validate the entire process. Clients receive concise easy-to-read reports with actionable information to quickly review the entire process and when there are errors on accounts they are highlighted with clear resolution steps.

If you’re a city or town shouldn’t you know the results of your solar deal? Why leave the success of a multi-million dollar deal to chance? Suntility is a highly effective partner for municipalities helping them accomplish their clean energy, environmental, administrative and budgetary goals. Reach out to us today for more information on these important services.

To learn more contact us at 508-566-6322

By Michael on April 7, 2014

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