Non-Profit Awards

Outer Cape Energize Invites Local Nonprofits to Apply here for Solar Electricity Boost

WELLFLEET, January 12, 2019—With 120 Outer Cape households signing up to install new solar arrays last year through Outer Cape Energize’s, Solarize Mass program, up to four local nonprofits stand to receive solar energy at a significant discount for the next 20 years.

That is thanks to the deal struck by Outer Cape Energize—a collaboration among the four towns’ energy committees—with ACE Solar, the installer they chose for the program.

According to David Mead-Fox, program manager of Outer Cape Energize and a member of the Wellfleet energy committee, the potential benefit to community nonprofits was one reason the group chose ACE.

For every 200 kilowatts of capacity added, the company pledged one solar installation and lease agreement to provide significant savings for a local nonprofit. The exact amount to be saved, says Mead-Fox, will be determined by the size and efficiency of each system.

ACE capped the incentive offer at four solar arrays should the Outer Cape add more than 800 kilowatts. According to Brian Boyle, chair of the Truro energy committee, the new arrays going in through the program will add about 833 kilowatts of capacity in total which translates into over 1 million kilowatt hours and approximately 8,350 kilowatt hours per system per year.

“That will translate over 25 years into about 25 million kilowatt hours of electricity,” Boyle says, “enough to offset carbon emissions produced by burning 19,325 tons of coal and equal to the CO2 sequestered by 20,800 acres of forest.”

Mead-Fox calculates that lifetime dollar savings of the Outer Cape’s 120 new arrays will add up to $5,000,000 or about $41,600 per individual system.  “The Solar installations have an amazing double benefit”, accord to Mead-Fox, “committed individuals have elected to help the planet and their finances”

Nonprofits interested in the reward offered by ACE must apply to be considered for an installation. A selection committee made up of Outer Cape Energize members from Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro, and Provincetown will choose potential winners.

Priority will be given to organizations that serve all four towns, own a building suitable for the PV installation, and expect to be able to benefit from the power for 20 years—the expected life of the system.

The deadline for applications is midnight on Tuesday, February 5.

Boyle explains that the systems installed will be owned by ACE Solar, with the organizations benefiting from the solar power they produce either through a lease payment or a credit on their electric bills.

This arrangement means ACE will be responsible for maintaining the systems and handling their eventual removal. ACE stands to benefit by having the right to sell any electricity generated beyond the nonprofits’ needs and would receive any relevant solar tax credits.

“The bottom line”, according to Mead-Fox, “is more locally-produced green electricity and real savings for our local nonprofit community.”

Additional information and the application for interested nonprofits is on the Outer Cape Energize website at www.outercapeenergize.org. Completed applications must be emailed to PVnominations@outercapeenergize.org by midnight Tuesday, Feb 5, 2019.

About OUTER CAPE ENERGIZE: The program covers the towns of Provincetown, Truro, Wellfleet, and Eastham. It is centered on grassroots outreach and public communication to encourage solar and other renewable energy production as well as energy efficiency and  conse

About ACE SOLAR: A Massachusetts-based company, ACE has completed over 15 MW of solar in the last two years with major municipal projects completed in Athol and the Cohasset Landfill in 2017. ACE has been awarded municipal solar projects in six Cape towns.

www.ace-solar.com

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