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18 Business Profiles 2016 Worcester Business Journal www.wbjournal.com F or the last seven years, Solect Energy has led the industry in developing, installing and managing smart solar solutions for busi- nesses and organizations, helping to reduce energy costs and carbon footprints. Partnering with more than 200 companies, Solect has installed over 32 megawatts (MW) of commer - cial solar photovoltaic (PV) systems across Massachusetts. More recently, the company has expanded its business portfolio to include a broader array of energy-saving solutions. While Solect has completed scores of projects in the Commonwealth, many with repeat customers, the com - pany is extending its reach south of the border into Rhode Island. Kenneth J. Driscoll, co-founder and CEO, says, "Rhode Island has developed robust incentive pro- grams for renewable energy projects, including solar, that make it economically attractive for businesses, organiza- tions and municipalities to install solar energy systems." To assist with this expansion, Solect has hired a busi- ness development manager with extensive experience and knowledge of local laws and commercial enterprises, which will facilitate growth in the Ocean State. Additionally, Solect is expanding to provide operations and maintenance services for solar systems, including those installed by other companies. Driscoll points out that solar systems basically represent a "power plant" on your roof. "A client's return on investment is directly tied to their solar production. And like a car, solar systems require routine maintenance to perform at optimal lev - els," he says. Solect's Operations and Maintenance (O&M) services provide full service contracts that include production monitoring and reporting and 24-hour tracking through a real-time, web-based secure portal. If a system is not producing electricity at optimal levels, Solect receives immediate notification and dispatches a technician to investigate and solve the issue. Additionally, Solect's services team manages the solar renewable energy certificates (SRECs) your system gen - erates to ensure you are achieving your return-on-invest- ment (ROI) goals. Net metering is an important aspect of a solar system that enables customers to receive credit for excess elec- tricity produced. Solect's services team will review net metering credits for your system, track production and work with your utility provider to confirm you are receiv- ing proper credits to your account. In addition to its scope of solar-focused solutions, Solect provides Spring check-ups, cleaning and roofing inspections as part of its Operations and Maintenance program. Also in the planning stages is an energy management initiative, including an energy storage pilot program, that will explore different ways Solect can help companies reduce energy demands and costs. For instance, Solect is in the process of vetting automated software solutions that control the energy demand and load of operating equipment. "This software will implement measures that mitigate peak demand, reducing a customer's overall energy costs and thereby strengthening their bottom line," says Driscoll. Last year, Solect installed 12 MW's of solar for 80 new commercial customers. While the company is proud of its record in helping more than 200 businesses, munici - palities and property owners reduce their overall energy demand and costs with a clean, renewable energy source, Solect has bigger plans for the future. "In the next year, our capability will be for more than just solar develop - ment and installation," Driscoll promises. n Solect Energy: Offering More Than Solar Development H O P K I N T O N , M A Solect Energy Address: 89 Hayden Rowe Street Hopkinton, MA 01748 Phone: 508-598-3511 Fax: 774-759-3027 Website: www.solect.com Product or Service: Full-service commercial solar photovoltaic (PV) project developer and installer, delivering smartsolar and energy management solutions to help businesses and organizations reduce energy costs. Number of Employees: 50 Head of Company: Kenneth J. Driscoll, Founder and CEO Year Founded: 2009 Main St. Properties, Northbridge, MA Herlihy Insurance, Worcester, MA AmeriPride Services, Worcester, MA P H O T O S / C O U R T E S Y