Tufts adds new solar energy systems, expands its commitment to clean energy

MEDFORD/SOMERVILLE, Mass. (June 26, 2019) – Two new roof-mounted solar photovoltaic installations on buildings located on the Medford/Somerville campus of Tufts University will generate 161,000 kilowatt hours of renewable energy for the university and surrounding community and are expected to save the university approximately $187,000 over the next 20 years.

The projects were made possible through a power purchase agreement (PPA) between Tufts and solar developer Solect Energy. PPAs are contracts in which a developer funds the purchase and installation of a solar energy system on a customer’s property – in this case, Tufts’ campus -- and then sells the electricity generated from the array to the host and community at a discount to retail rates.

The Science Engineering Complex now dons a new roof-mounted solar photovoltaic installation. Tufts has six total solar arrays on its various campuses that help save the university money and make the power grid greener.

The arrays are owned, operated and were installed by Solect Energy, a commercial-scale solar developer and installer in Massachusetts, in collaboration with PowerOptions, an energy-buying consortium for public entities and not for profits.

“This agreement is a win for all involved. While Solect retains the renewable energy credits (RECS) associated with the solar production, Tufts maintains its commitment to making sustainability a university priority by contributing to the decarbonization of the New England electrical grid, which helps reduce our carbon footprint,” said Barbara Stein, vice president of operations at Tufts. “Solect Energy, in turn, will sell the RECs to the utility, National Grid, helping it meet its requirements under the Massachusetts renewable energy portfolio standard.”

The new systems include:

• 216 solar panels on the roof of Lewis Hall, a residence hall, that is expected to produce about 100,000 kilowatt hours a year; and
• a 136-panel array on the roof of the Science and Engineering Complex that is expected to generate about 61,000 kilowatt hours per year.

In all, Tufts has six solar arrays on its various campuses that help save the university money and make the power grid greener. 

Tufts’ commitment to carbon neutrality is one of several goals it adopted as part of Second Nature’s Climate Commitment, signed by Tufts in 2016.

Tufts is currently planning to continue working with Solect to install two more systems, including a much larger project of 340 kilowatts on Gantcher Family Sports and Convocation Center. In addition to the solar energy systems, Tufts plans to install an energy storage system to increase resilience and further lower costs.  

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About Tufts University

Tufts University, located on campuses in Boston, Medford/Somerville and Grafton, Massachusetts, and in Talloires, France, is recognized among the premier research universities in the United States. Tufts enjoys a global reputation for academic excellence and for the preparation of students as leaders in a wide range of professions. A growing number of innovative teaching and research initiatives span all Tufts campuses, and collaboration among the faculty and students in the undergraduate, graduate and professional programs across the university's schools is widely encouraged.