New England Solar Owners Welcome Spring

After four nor’easters and two historic high tide events in Boston, solar owners across the region gladly welcome the prime solar production months ahead. The fierce winter weather brought power outages to millions across the Northeast and multiple massive restoration efforts by local utility crews and utility contractors. Suntility helped its utility-scale clients quickly and safely come back online, helped commercial clients with resetting site communications for SREC reporting, and aided residential monitoring clients in identifying and resolving any post storm production issues. This past winter Suntility has been there for our solar clients in good weather and in bad. Suntility’s focus on superior clean energy performance and value is unwavering regardless of season.

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.

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

By Michael on March 24, 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.

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.

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

By Michael on February 9, 2018

Suntility’s Active Remote Monitoring Services

Here at Suntility we monitor your solar installation so you don’t have to, and more importantly, we monitor your solar installation to help ensure that you’re achieving your solar production goals. After all, clean energy value starts with proper system operation. Losing a few weeks or months of solar production can easily cost you thousands of dollars of revenue and savings.

Even though many solar installations have no moving parts, issues can and will come up in the course of solar ownership. For solar a number of issues need to be monitored including: grid disruptions; system disconnections; inverter malfunctions; communication issues; and other potential issues. This means that making the most of your solar investment is significantly aided by the assistance of dedicated, expert solar professionals. Suntility’s skill and efficiency with solar helps take the uncertainty, and complexity out of managing your system.

Photo: Suntility can perform detailed analytics on your solar production, down to 5 minute intervals, with comparable systems in your immediate area – even in the same neighborhood, like these pictured

Clients of our Suntility Active Remote Monitoring Services receive:

– dedicated active remote monitoring of their solar installation 365 days a year;

– detailed comparative analysis to ensure major production losses are avoided;

– alerts regarding issues that are causing major production losses or outages; &

– Suntility’s superior client support.

Clients receive this all for one low annual price. These essential services aid in ensuring that your array is performing optimally and that you’re receiving the utmost standard in client support that every solar owner deserves.

To learn more about Suntility’s comprehensive administration, detection and tracking for your Massachusetts residential, commercial or utility-scale solar installation contact us at 508-538-4-Sun.

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.

By Michael on October 17, 2017

Massachusetts SMART Solar Program Coming In 2018

Massachusetts will soon be embarking on its next and newest solar incentive program, with the aim of continuing the cost-effective development of solar energy in the Commonwealth. Massachusetts has long been New England’s leader in solar installations per year and total installed capacity. The new program, known as the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target, or SMART, is currently being finalized through processes at the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU).

The purpose of the SMART Program, filed as DOER regulation 225 CMR 20.00, is to encourage the continued development of residential, commercial, governmental and industrial solar units. The growth of these units would not only reduce peak energy demand, and system losses, but it also has the potential to increase grid reliability, along with producing a rise in investment towards new renewable infrastructure. Furthermore, generating more energy from renewables helps contribute to the Commonwealth’s goals to protect the environment by reducing emissions.

As opposed to Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs), which fluctuate based on market conditions, the SMART program is designed to provide more long-term revenue certainty. Over time, new projects that enter the program would enter with lower incentives to reflect the declining cost of solar. The program is intended to provide solar facilities with a single compensation rate that reflects both the energy value and the incentive value. This is different than that of the SREC program, where SRECs are an independent stream of revenue, separate from the actual value of the energy. Therefore, total costs of the SMART Program can be tracked with greater precision and accuracy.

The SMART Program is designed as a 1600 MW declining block program, spanning eight blocks, each containing 200 MW, with base compensation rates decreasing 4% for projects that begin in each successive block.

For current owners of residential and commercial solar, already in the SREC I or SREC II program, nothing will change for them once the shift from the SREC program to the SMART program is initiated, as they will continue to earn SRECs for the remainder of their term. However, new solar owners, not captured by the SREC II extension will be able to participate in the SMART program instead.

Overall, DOER expects the program as designed to support approximately double the solar capacity currently installed in the Commonwealth. By the end of the SMART program, this would result in almost 10% of Massachusetts electricity consumption being supplied by in-state distributed solar generation.

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.

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

By Michael on September 27, 2017

When The Summer Heat Is On, Suntility’s Services Only Become More Important

When the summer heat is on, solar is more important than ever, and so are Suntility’s services. Grid electricity prices spike when demand for electricity spikes. During the summer, when air conditioners respond to the heat and humidity, power demand can easily climb 50% above normal levels. Fortunately, at the same time, solar power kicks on and helps relieve the power grid of the extra electricity demand at the peak of the day when the weather is also typically the hottest. This helps save consumers money, prevents blackouts, and keeps the dirtiest and least-efficient power plants (oil and coal) from turning on.

Suntility’s role, in ensuring the reliability of solar projects across the region, is critical to the success of our client’s solar projects in not only realizing their production targets, but also in providing power to the grid when the grid needs clean energy the most. Suntility’s monitoring, operations and maintenance solutions are essential services for solar owners in achieving their goals. In the summer, with more sunlight, heat and with greater demands on our power grid, Suntility’s dedicated focus to keeping the solar power flowing helps even 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 508-538-4Sun

Additional articles you may be interested in, include:

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

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

 

 

By Michael on June 20, 2017

The History Of Massachusetts’ SREC Programs

The first Massachusetts SREC program, referred to as SREC-I, was launched in January 2010 by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER). This SREC program was created as a result of the Green Communities Act of 2008 and the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), which arose out of the restructuring of the electricity industry in the late 1990’s. The SREC program serves as a Massachusetts-specific solar carve-out of the Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) market.

When SREC-I was first established, a capacity limit of 400 MW was put into place. However, this limit was reached early, in the spring of 2013, and the cap was subsequently raised to approximately 650 MW to accommodate transition projects before the commencement of a second SREC program. The DOER then initiated its SREC-II program in spring of 2014 as an incentive mechanism to further encourage Massachusetts to reach its goal of 1,600 MW of new solar installations by 2020.

Image source: Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources

The DOER determines the number of SRECs utilities are required to purchase to meet RPS guidelines based on a compliance formula which is subject to a number of factors including how much solar capacity was installed in the previous years. In the Commonwealth, a solar project receives one SREC for each MWh (1000 kWh) it produces. In the SREC-II program certain project types are ascribed greater or less value for their SRECs depending on locational factors, among others. The market value of an SREC varies based on supply (solar production) and the utility compliance obligation in that particular period.

With the SREC program caps being easily met, and the fact that long-term sustainable solutions take time to deploy, Massachusetts is currently in the process of designing its “Next Generation Incentive Program.” The DOER filed an Emergency Regulation on April 8, 2016 with the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office to address recent developments in the state’s solar PV market and allow for a transition from the current SREC-II program to the next one. This new solar incentive regime, stemming from a solar law signed by Governor Charlie Baker on April 11, 2016, is expected to begin in mid-to-late 2017.

Overall Massachusetts’ pioneering SREC programs have provided incentives towards creating sustainable solar solutions, promoting cost-effective solar development in the Commonwealth while positioning the state as a national leader in clean energy.

For more stories and articles on Massachusetts SRECs (Solar Renewable Energy Certificates) click here:

https://www.suntilityelectric.com/category/srecs/

By Michael on April 20, 2017

Electric Vehicles & Solar, A Powerful Combination

A Suntility plug-in hybrid electric vehicle for solar operations and maintenance.

As solar rapidly becomes more common, electric vehicles are becoming more common as well. The electric vehicle (EV) and hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) market grew 70% from 2014 to 2015 globally with 550,000 electric and hybrid cars sold worldwide in 2015 alone according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). 100,000 of those were in the U.S., second only to China with 200,000 vehicles (IEA). The market locally in Massachusetts grew by 37% in 2016 for the vehicles (Forbes).

Tax credits, rebates, lower costs of ownership, safety, and driving experience are all major benefits that prospective electric car buyers are factoring in when considering purchasing a new vehicle, especially as electric vehicle options continue to expand.

Electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles also play an important role in reducing imports of petroleum. According to the Department of Energy (DOE), in 2014, the United States imported about 27% of the petroleum it consumed, and transportation was responsible for nearly three-quarters of total U.S. petroleum consumption. Switching to electric vehicles therefore reduces the need for foreign oil.

How clean really are these cars? Electric vehicles, while they do have some greenhouse gas emissions associated with their use and manufacture, are significantly cleaner than conventional gasoline engines. For example, based on a 2015 study performed by the Union of Concerned Scientists, battery-electric vehicles have half the life cycle global warming emissions of gasoline vehicles.

Charging infrastructure is a key element to further adoption. Charging stations have been rapidly expanding domestically and internationally, with over 40,000 in the U.S. and an estimated 1.45 million globally according to DOE figures. Many major transportation corridors and public locations host charging stations that are either free or have a nominal fee.

With electric car sales expanding quickly in the U.S., many countries are seeing electric vehicles as a much more significant percentage share of their domestic car sales. For example, Netherlands and Norway have seen electric vehicle sales as a percentage of total sales, well above 7.5% of total sales with the Netherlands percentage of EV sales around 10% and Norway around 25% (IEA). These markets illustrate the burgeoning potential of these vehicles and the commercial opportunities for electric vehicle manufacturers.

U.S., China, and Japan, despite large and growing electric vehicle sales, are only in the early stages of EV technology capturing greater market share. Innovative and established car makers alike are racing to provide the electric vehicles that consumers are demanding and our economies and environment need.

By Michael on March 23, 2017

With Solar On The Rise, Keep Your System Ahead Of The Game With Suntility

suntility-monitoring-services

Solar Owners Need Smart Management Solutions – Suntility’s expert maintenance and net-metering credit services may just be the missing piece of the puzzle in your solar investment. Don’t believe us? Studies show that both commercial and utility-scale solar installations alike that have Suntility’s experienced monitoring services backing them, perform on average 6.5% better than those that don’t. That’s a big advantage!

Solar power is a clean, reliable, energy source but like any facility there can be operational challenges. Equipment malfunctions, grid outages, inverter issues, component failures, and communication errors are common issues that can be quickly resolved if identified. Suntility is trained to catch these issues before they cause a serious loss in revenue. Skillful solar monitoring means more revenue for solar owners. Enroll in Suntility’s services, and we’ll treat your system as if it were our own.

By Michael on December 2, 2016

The Basics Of Net Metering Credits In Massachusetts

Net metering credits are an important source of value for solar projects in Massachusetts.

Commercial and utility-scale solar projects very often send net metering credits to be used on other accounts in a process called virtual net metering. Massachusetts is one of many states that allows virtual net metering. Virtual net metering is the ability for one site that generates excess electricity, to send that value, in the form of net metering credits realized on that account’s bill, to another account’s electric bill. These credits provide recipients with meaningful savings on their electric bills, and for the solar project sending them, a steady stream of revenue.

In one basic example, a solar farm site generates electricity far in excess of what that site could use in a month. It designates to the utility to send that excess value (the net metering credits) to the electric account of a building on a separate property in the same utility territory. The credits arrive on the other buildings electric bill and offset what that building would have normally had to pay that month.

net-metering-credits-massachusetts-1

Another example is where the array allocates net metering credits to multiple accounts monthly.

net-metering-credits-massachusetts-multiple

If you own a solar array, or receive net metering credits from a solar array, it is important that you have dedicated professionals ensuring both: 1) the proper amount of net metering credits is being generated; and 2) that the proper value of net metering credits is being received. Hundreds of thousands of dollars up to millions of dollars a year, in net metering credits can be generated by these solar projects. The larger the system, and the more accounts receiving credits, the more critical having a service such as Suntility’s Net Metering Credit Services becomes. Utility and customer mistakes are all too common and proper management and administration helps avoid losing significant value.

Suntility works with many of the largest solar installations in the state servicing hundreds of electric accounts that receive net metering credits. These clients include Fortune 200 energy companies, municipalities, commercial real estate owners, financial institutions and more.

Contact Suntility to learn how your solar project or net metering arrangement can benefit from our expertise in managing Massachusetts net metering credits. Call us at 508-538-4-Sun or contact us through our the website here: www.suntilityelectric.com/contact-us-today-for-a-free-consultation-or-for-more-info/

By Michael on September 20, 2016

Suntility Managed Solar Is Better Performing Solar

Famous management expert and author Peter Drucker said “You can’t manage what you can’t measure.” Too many commercial solar owners, and those in renewable energy arrangements, aren’t doing either. The cost of ineffective, or absent, management of these systems can easily add up and total in the thousands, tens of thousands, and in some cases hundreds of thousands of dollars a year in lost revenue and savings.

While solar is highly reliable and durable relative to so many other technologies, it isn’t flawless.  Equipment can malfunction and will degrade, there can be interruptions from weather and animals/pests, equipment resets will often be required, inverters may require preventative maintenance or repair, communication devices can fail and grid/site disruptions can also derail solar performance. These are just some of the factors that can negatively impact solar results and ultimately financial returns.

Suntility is dedicated to helping system owners face their most challenging issues and is driving solid outperformance. In a recent study of commercial and utility-scale systems in Massachusetts, solar installations monitored by Suntility professionals performed 6.5% better than those without Suntility’s dedicated monitoring services. Think of what that could mean financially for your system.

Furthermore the revenue streams that these systems produce are also subject to additional administrative processes that are manual and where errors are commonly found including: the allocation of net metering credits by the utilities; as well as with the brokerage of SRECs. Having an industry leading team overseeing these aspects of your project is a must and just as important as the actual solar production itself.

Suntility’s solar management solutions provide the oversight and insights to help ensure that clients are receiving as much value as possible from their clean energy. To learn more about our services check out these links:            

– Solar Maintenance Services

– Solar Net Metering Credit Services

– Solar Consulting Services

– Solar Owner’s Agent Services

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.

To learn more contact us at 508-566-6322

By Michael on September 1, 2016