NORTHAMPTON — What began with one client in 2012 has blossomed into a solar energy credit program with more than a thousand customers.
The Hampshire Council of Governments’ solar credit business comes mostly from homeowners who’ve installed solar arrays, but also from schools, nonprofits and businesses around the state.
“That program, I think, speaks to our entrepreneurial spirit,” said Executive Director Todd Ford, recalling how momentous it felt to win over that first customer.
Solar installations typically produce more energy than one building can use, and so owners look to organizations like Hampshire COG to sell excess energy credits back into the electricity marketplace.
Director of Energy Operations Sinead Coleman said that for every 1,000-kilowatt hours generated, a solar panel yields one solar renewable energy credit, or SREC. The amount of money Hampshire COG can sell an SREC for, on behalf of the customer, depends on the current market. Demand is set, she said, by utilities and carbon producers that are required by law to buy renewable energy credits.
“They produce a lot of carbon and in order to meet their (renewable portfolio standard) they need to buy these RECs,” Coleman said. “So they buy from us and that fulfills their need, and with that demand it basically helps invest in more solar projects, or more renewable projects in general.”
Coleman said the agency strives to get at least $250 per credit. Hampshire COG is one of a handful of sellers in Massachusetts, she said.
Rob Letendre, a Belchertown resident who installed solar panels in the fall and sells credits through Hampshire COG, called the decision “a no-brainer.” He said he took out a solar loan for the $33,000 installation, but all told — between loans, rebates and incentives — it turned out to be about $9,000 out of pocket.
“And it should be paid off in a few years,” he said. “I just can’t believe not as many people take advantage.”
Coleman said more homeowners are realizing the benefits and installing solar arrays. Amherst homeowners top the Hampshire COG’s list of clients — more than 200 homeowners that town sell energy credits through the organization. About 130 homeowners in Northampton sell credits through the COG, nearly 50 in Belchertown and 40 in Easthampton.
“You can see that some towns are more friendly to solar installs and to renewables in general,” Coleman said. “It’s really exciting.”
Amanda Drane can be contacted at adrane@gazettenet.com.