SRECs

Solar Renewable Energy Certificates and Suntility Solar Renewable Energy Certificate Brokerage Assistance in Massachusetts

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

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 June 16, 2014

New Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC) Program & Grid Modernization Efforts Move Massachusetts Towards a Greener Grid – Learn More & Get Involved

This spring the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources announced it’s second solar renewable energy certificate program in Massachusetts. This incentive program allows solar owners to be compensated for the clean, local, solar benefits of the energy they produce in addition to the electricity savings. This program is intended to move the state towards an installed solar capacity of 1600 MW by 2020. To put it in perspective 1 MW is enough to power about 180 homes annually.

At the same time significant discussion and planning is underway to ensure those resources can be brought online quickly, effectively and with the most benefits to electricity customers here in Massachusetts. To facilitate that the electric grid itself – from the Berkshires, to Boston, to Cape Cod – will need to evolve and become more modern. Suntility Manager Luke Hinkle has been actively engaged on these issues at the local, regional and state level and recently took part in a WCAI discussion titled ‘Smarter and Greener: Making Changes in Our Energy Use.’ This discussion covers the state of the electric grid, managing distributed generation resources, and actions that can be taken to ensure the electric system can adapt to the economic and environmental drivers in our world today. To listen click here:

http://capeandislands.org/post/smarter-and-greener-making-changes-our-energy-use

To learn more and get involved click here:

https://www.change.org/petitions/cape-power-brokers-green-our-grid-now

To learn more contact us at 508-566-6322

By Michael on May 9, 2014

Suntility’s Solar Solutions Advance One of Massachusetts Most Innovative Net Metering Credit Facilities

Suntility, My Generation Energy and the Brewster Community Solar Garden™ Cooperative were recently featured in Enphase Energy’s Array of the Week. This innovative community solar arrangement allows members of the cooperative to receive the electricity benefits of a solar array in their community, in the form of net metering credits, directly on their NSTAR electric bills. Brewster residents and organizations that understand the value of predictable, clean, local electricity but can’t go solar at their particular location are able to participate and capture those benefits through the Brewster Community Solar Garden™ Cooperative.

This system has been in operation for more than two years and has been producing at peak performance thanks to Suntility’s solar management practices and the highest quality installation provided by local installer My Generation Energy. The benefits of the array in the form of net metering credits and solar renewable energy certificates, have been flowing smoothly thanks to Suntility’s regulatory, administrative and operational solutions. Working in conjuction with Enphase, My Generation Energy, and the Brewster community, Suntility is proud to be a part of this market leading solution just as community solar in Massachusetts continues to grow under the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) SREC-II program. For the full article from Enphase click here:

https://enphase.com/eblog/2014/featured-array-revisited-brewster-community-solar-garden-facility/

To learn more about solar installation and development in Southeastern Massachusetts with My Generation Energy click here:

http://www.mygenerationenergy.com/

To learn more contact us at 508-566-6322

By Michael on May 9, 2014

Suntility To Attend Friends Academy Solar Ribbon Cutting In Dartmouth, MA

Solar projects are continuing to increase across Massachusetts. Strong demand for clean energy and reasonable regulations that provide monetary benefits such as net metering credits and solar renewable energy certificates have facilitated thousands of solar projects for Massachusetts non-profits, communities, businesses, homeowners and landowners. Suntility Electric is excited to partake in the commissioning of this new system constructed by My Generation Energy and interconnected to the NSTAR electric system.

The ribbon cutting ceremony will take place on May 9th at 2:30 pm and the celebration is open to the public and will be held at the school at 1088 Tucker Road, Dartmouth in Southeastern Massachusetts. To learn more click here: http://www.mygenerationenergy.com/2014/04/solar-at-friends-academy-dartmouth-may-9-2014/

By Michael on April 24, 2014

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

Suntility Electric’s solar monitoring and support helps you achieve your solar production goals. Have confidence that dedicated solar professionals are monitoring your system for issues, tracking your results, and alerting you to any identified problems. Suntility actively monitors your solar array remotely so you don’t have. Importantly we have the industry and technical expertise to know when your system is under-performing and can help you make the most of your investment in solar. This service is cost-effective and can be implemented quickly to provide you with the solar support your system needs.

This service is essential to ensuring you receive as much in electricity savings, net metering credits and SRECs as possible. SREC prices and electricity rates may vary but having a strongly performing solar installation is the first step in achieving the best solar results. Get there with Suntility, your trusted partner in success.

If you’re in Massachusetts and would like to learn more about Suntility’s Solar Monitoring services reach out to us today by calling 508-566-6322 or by entering your contact information here:

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

These services are just one element of Suntility’s full suite of solar operations and maintenance services (O&M). Suntility manages many of the largest solar installations in Massachusetts and in the region. To learn more on Suntility’s maintenance services click here:

https://www.suntilityelectric.com/maintenance-services/

By Michael on April 16, 2014

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

“Solar plants are first and foremost financial assets. There are risks to overlooking that they are financial assets.” – Cedric Brehaut of SoliChamba author of the Greentech Media Research report ‘Megawatt-Scale PV Plant Operations and Maintenance’ quoted in a recent SolarPowerWorldonline.com article.

Solar is like any other investment. It has an inevitable amount of servicing and attention required to ensure it is performing properly and so that the owner of that asset is in the strongest position possible at the best value. Striking the proper balance between proactive maintenance of your solar array and light touch servicing is key to maximizing financial returns. As the initial grants, accelerated depreciation and tax credits of a system are realized the investment result is ultimately determined by the solar installation’s production. The net metering credits and solar renewable energy certificates (SRECs) drive future returns, especially in Massachusetts. System down-time, surprise maintenance issues and equipment malfunctions are all counter to production. The strong combined value of SRECs and net metering credits should only focus thoughtful owners more on how well their system is producing and what they can do to ensure consistent performance. In fact that was one of the policy goals when the SREC and net metering programs were designed – to focus owners on generating as much solar energy as possible as economically as possible. That result is the goal and constant aim of Suntility as well. To learn more about how we can work with you to optimize your solar facility reach out to us for a free consultation.

To learn more contact us at 508-566-6322

By Michael on April 2, 2014

Solar Maintenance & Solar Inspections From Suntility

Simply put a well maintained solar installation is a well performing solar installation. By identifying latent or hidden system issues solar installation owners can easily save tens of thousands of dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars in electricity and SRECs by increasing system uptime and reducing avoidable expenses – the classic ‘stitch in time saves nine.’ With regular inspections and preventative maintenance the lifetime of your solar panels, inverters and supporting electrical and structural infrastructure can be increased. Considering the hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars invested in your renewable energy facility regular inspections and preventative maintenance programs can maximize your existing asset at a very low cost. Working with Suntility your solar installation will receive regular point by point inspections for everything from the solar panels to where your installation ties into your existing electrical infrastructure or the utility grid. These inspections and associated reports detail areas in good condition, areas to address, and areas for further review so that you have actionable information as to the quality and status of your solar array.

Suntility’s analysis, trouble-shooting and technical reviews offer the comprehensive support to meet your site’s specific needs and produce the best system outcomes. For a free initial consultation for maintenance of your Massachusetts solar installation and a program developed specifically for you contact Suntility today.

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 March 10, 2014

Best 6 Solar Production Months Ahead – More Sunshine Means More Net Metering Credits & SRECs On The Way

The melt from New England’s deep freeze has begun and solar installation owners in Massachusetts can look forward to the 6 best months of solar production in the year starting with March.

In a start to the year characterized by nearly consistent below average temperatures and above average precipitation, systems from Cape Cod to Boston to the Metrowest area and to the Berkshires are beginning to achieve strong production. Low pitch solar installations, which are most susceptible to snow cover, have completely melted in most cases based on Suntility’s solar monitoring services. The beginning of February was especially challenging for many solar installations as cold temperatures trapped snow on solar panels and many systems almost used more energy than they produced for the first two weeks of the month.

With the snow dissipating and better weather ahead – we can hope – months like March, April and May are typically very strong for solar production. These spring months have limited tree cover (less shading), are cool (solar panels have a negative temperature coefficient which means they function better in colder weather), the sun is higher in the sky and the daylight hours are longer. For example, March historically offers 15-25% better solar production than February based on National Renewable Energy Laboratory solar data for the Northeast.

With the best months ahead it is important to have the right services in place to make sure that your solar installation is well maintained; performing at its best; and that you’re receiving the full and proper value for your net metering credits and maximizing your solar renewable energy certificate (SREC) or REC revenue streams. To learn how to make the most of the months ahead for your solar array get started with a free consultation by contacting Suntility.

To learn more contact us at 508-566-6322

By Michael on February 22, 2014

Suntility – The Clean Energy Experts For Your Wind or Solar Facility

You’ve made, or are going to make, a significant investment in wind or solar. The sun and the wind are free and many of the components (i.e. solar panels, inverters, structural elements) have long warranties; so once the system is installed you’ll be set to go, right?

While solar and wind do boast these tremendous advantages over other forms of energy generation these systems utilize incredibly sophisticated equipment and your investment operates in an ever changing regulatory and market environment. It’s important to have someone working alongside you that can provide you with the comprehensive solutions to help you meet and exceed your clean energy goals. Our technical and regulatory advice, maintenance decisions, dedicated monitoring, and net metering credit and renewable energy certificate (including solar renewable energy certificate) support are all value driven. That means we’re always seeking for you to achieve the most with the investment you’ve made. Ultimately each decision made in the life-cycle of a wind or solar installation can have a significant impact on the overall financial results. It’s worth having experienced and quality industry professionals ensuring you achieve the best outcomes possible.

To understand how we can help you and your investment in a solar or wind facility in Massachusetts reach out to us for a free initial consultation.

To learn more contact us at 508-566-6322

By Michael on February 2, 2014

What is an SREC or REC?

SRECs and RECs are integral parts of the Massachusetts Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) which requires an increasing percentage of the state’s electricity supply to come from renewable energy sources. The required percentage of renewable energy in Massachusetts is increasing by 1% each year and the requirement is targeted to reach 15% by 2020 with an additional 1% each year thereafter. For example retail electric suppliers must provide a minimum percentage of 9% renewable energy as a percentage of sales by the end of 2014.

A Renewable Energy Certificate, or REC as it is commonly known, represents the positive environmental attributes associated with clean energy production. This is independent of, and in addition to, the electricity component of clean energy production. Effectively a REC is one of two components that renewable energy generators produce: electricity and RECs. Every time 1000 kWh (1 MWh) of electricity is produced by a qualified renewable energy facility, that facility produces a REC as well. These RECs once minted can be traded and sold to retail electric suppliers (utilities that generate electricity) to help them fulfill their renewable energy obligation. RECs can be created by a number of renewable energy sources including: solar PV; geothermal; marine or hydrokinetic energy; low-emission advanced biomass; low impact small hydroelectric; landfill methane gas; fuel cell; wave/tidal energy; ocean thermal electric; wind; and solar thermal electric. REC prices trade in a range that is in part determined by an Alternative Compliance Payment (ACP) Rate set by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources. If retail electric suppliers are unable to procure enough RECs in the marketplace to satisfy their renewable energy obligation they must pay a penalty at the Alternative Compliance Rate. Therefore electric suppliers have been incentivized to purchase RECs in the open market place to avoid the ACP.

A Solar Renewable Energy Certificate, or SREC, is virtually the same as a REC except that SRECs are associated with energy from solar photovoltaic systems. Because they have a separate and higher ACP than regular RECs, SRECs often command a higher market price. The Department of Energy Resources (DOER) has also utilized a price support auction to aid SREC pricing. This auction is often referred to as the Solar Credit Clearinghouse Auction or DOER Auction. While the majority of SREC sales occur in the open market through SREC brokers the Solar Credit Clearinghouse Auction is an important option for solar installation owners.

To understand your options in brokering your RECs or SRECs contact Suntility Electric and we can discuss what is available to you in the marketplace to assist you in selling your certificates.

To learn more contact us at 508-566-6322

By Michael on January 28, 2014

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