Solar for Non-profits
How does it work?
The nonprofit organization hosts the solar array and then gets a discount on its electricity bill. The solar array is owned by Co-op Power and local investors who arrange the permitting, construction, and management of the array, as well as the interconnection agreement with the electric utility.
Nonprofits sign a power purchase and site hosting agreement with Co-op Power and pay less for electricity day one. They're partnering with their local Community Energy Co-op, tax equity investors, lenders, and volunteers to build a more just and sustainable community. If you have a site that can host a very large array (10kW to 2 MW), you can bring solar to people in your community too! These projects support the development of solar, good green jobs, and a strong local economy. They also support Co-op Power's mission to bring solar to limited resource communities and communities of color.
It's here. You can get the benefits of solar with no money down!
Community Energy Co-ops in Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Northampton, Greenfield, Binghamton and NYC are supporting the development of non-profit solar in their communities.
What we’re offering nonprofits:
Pay nothing upfront for the solar system on your property.
Purchase the power generated by your system and save 10% - 20% on your monthly electric bills.
Have the opportunity to continue your savings for the life of the system or to purchase the system after 5-7 years at a steeply discounted price and get the free electricity for the life of the system.
How big a site is necessary?
We are seeking sites such as rooftops, parking lots, and nonagricultural land large enough to host a 25 kW solar array—about the size of a basketball court (1,800 square feet, or about 42 by 42 feet).
Case Studies
The Hampshire Community Energy Co-op and Franklin Community Energy Co-op in western Massachusetts are working together in a project called "Rays the Valley". It received one out of thirty-five $60,000 awards from the DOE Sunshot initiative for its innovative design for bringing solar to nonprofits and people with limited resources and is enrolled in the Sunshot competition with the goal of installing 2.5 MW of solar.
The NYC Community Energy Co-op that's just getting up and running is partnering with Solar One and Grid Alternatives to install solar on affordable housing cooperatives in NYC. Power purchase agreements have been signed by four housing cooperatives as of May of 2017. The first installation is scheduled for July 2017.
Boston Metro East Community Energy Co-op completed the first solar installations for the Boston Interfaith Community Solar (BICS) project in the Winter of 2016/2017.
Ready to learn more about the possibilities at your site?
Email your contact info, the site address, and a copy of your electric bill to Mark Skinder - mark [at] cooppower.coop or call 877-266-7543.
Huge thanks to the members of the Boston Metro East Community Energy Cooperative, who had the idea for this project in the first place, and whose dedication makes it all possible.
