Northeast Automatic Sprinkler Company, a leader in fire suppression systems, has partnered with Solect Energy, the state's leading commercial-scale in-staller of solar energy systems, to install a 65 kilowatt (kW) solar energy system on the roof of its headquarters. The solar array consists of 210 photovoltaic (PV) panels and is expected to produce 61,900 kilowatt hours (kwH) of energy annually. Northeast projects that the array will cover 100 percent of its primary facility's energy needs, and 100 percent of at least one other building through net metering. 

Northeast Automatic Sprinkler was attracted to solar because of the economic benefits, and the de-sire to be more environmentally friendly. Additionally, its commercial office/warehouse building has a large, flat roof, ideal for installing solar panels. 

After meeting with Solect Energy, the company realized it had the opportunity with solar to not only cover 100% of the electrical needs of its primary facility, but at least one other building as well. Net metering allows customers to receive credits for any electricity that they generate but do not use. Additionally, Northeast will be able to take advantage of state and federal tax and finan-cial incentives, including SRECs (Solar Renewable Energy Certificates), which are financial in-centives based on the amount of solar energy the system generates. Electric utility providers in Massachusetts purchase SRECs to help them meet their state-mandated goals of a percentage of power coming from renewable energy sources. 

"We chose Solect Energy as our solar partner after completing an extensive comparison of multi-ple solar providers," said Valerie Odell, co-owner of Northeast Automatic Sprinkler. "We chose Solect because they were the most qualified and we felt they would do the best job. And they have exceeded our expectations. The customer service from all different departments at Solect has been truly exceptional. Everyone we have dealt with has been very helpful, professional, knowledgea-ble and proactive." 

Northeast Automatic Sprinkler has always had a strong commitment to recycling with an emphasis on paper, plastic, oil and metal. The substantial savings and the environmental benefits of solar 

has spurred the company to evaluate other green initiatives. It has most recently completed changing out all of its facilities' lighting to more energy-efficient fixtures after a thorough lighting energy assessment. Northeast anticipates it will funnel a good portion of its savings from solar into upgrades like its most recent lighting project, as well as other energy efficiency initiatives. 

"Northeast Automatic Sprinkler has been an ideal solar customer, and we commend their commit-ment to sustainable initiatives," said Scott Howe, Partner, Senior Vice President at Solect Energy. "Their warehouse's substantial flat roof provided optimal space to support a robust solar ar-ray. After our analysis of the solar opportunity, Northeast Automatic Sprinkler was thrilled to learn of the substantial savings potential through not only the production of their own electricity, but also from the net metering and SREC program." 

Solect Energy | www.solect.com