The program is structured to give nonprofit organizations the benefits of the same tax incentives that make solar projects economically feasible for commercial entities by having the project developer share the benefits of tax incentives with the nonprofits in the form of reduced electricity pricing.
PowerOptions is among the largest electricity and natural gas purchasing consortiums in Massachusetts, with $160 - 200 million of annual energy commodity purchases and a combined demand of approximately 220 megawatts of electricity and 13 million dekatherms of natural gas usage. Any nonprofit or public institution in Massachusetts may become a member and participate in this collective purchasing effort.
Its new solar program is part of a successful model to lower costs and provide cleaner energy to non-profits by offering standardized terms and conditions as well as a pricing formula for each project. This saves time and money for the PowerOptions member institution or organization by eliminating the need for each individual member to conduct their own solicitation and negotiation of terms. It also gives the members the benefits of their collective purchasing power, while providing the vendor, SunEdision, with access to a large and attractive membership base.