Solect Energy, the leading commercial-scale developer and installer of solar energy systems in Massachusetts, announced that it has expanded oper-ations into Illinois. Solect's Illinois operations will be based in Aurora, and will be led by General Manager, Steve Gregory, and backed by an experienced team of business development executives. The primary focus of Solect's Illinois operations will be on delivering rooftop solar solutions to the commercial and industrial (C&I) sector, and on building both rooftop and ground-mount com-munity solar projects. 

In late 2016 Illinois passed the Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA), comprehensive legislation de-signed to jumpstart a renewable energy industry in the state. Previously, most of Illinois' renewa-ble energy was purchased from other states. As part of the legislation, Illinois adopted a Renewa-ble Portfolio Standard (RPS) that requires utilities to source 25% of their energy mix from renewa-ble sources by 2025. This is expected to drive development of up to 3,000 MW of new solar en-ergy projects by 2030. 

"We commend Illinois on its comprehensive commitment to renewable energy, and applaud the compelling incentives the state has put in place to help businesses and communities pursue solar energy," said Ken Driscoll, Founder and CEO of Solect Energy. "Our expertise in working with commercial and community organizations in Massachusetts will be an enormous asset in Illi-nois. Solect is the clear market leader in the C&I solar space, and we bring a deep understanding of the economics, incentives and financing that are critical components of making the decision to move forward with solar."

To help encourage the move to renewable energy, Illinois is committing more than $200 million in annual funding to support a number of incentives, including: 

* Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) - To help meet the state's RPS goals, utilities can pur-chase RECs at a rate of 1.4 REC per 1,000 kWh of energy generated per solar array. 

* Rebate program - Rewards solar system owners based on kW installed, paid upfront in year one. 

* Net-metering - Compensates solar system owners for "net excess" energy production each month 

These Illinois-specific incentives are in addition to the 30% Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and eligibility for the Modified Accelerated Cost-Recovery System (MACRS), a five-year depre-ciation formula which currently includes the ability to take 100% of the available bonus tax deduc-tion in year one. 

In addition, Illinois has created the Solar for All program, which is designed to expand solar in-stallations and workforce development in underserved Illinois communities. The program has an additional $30 million in funding that will support the development of on-site distributed genera-tion, community solar, public and nonprofit projects, and community solar pilot projects. 

"Illinois is a huge market with a broad spectrum of community solar, and commercial and indus-trial customers that are well positioned to take advantage of solar energy," said Steve Gregory, So-lect Energy's General Manager, Illinois. "Our research indicates there are more than 40,000 build-ings in Illinois that could support a 100 KW solar system. We look forward to delivering the bene-fits of solar to Illinois customers, including substantially lower energy costs, attractive tax and fi-nancial incentives, and the satisfaction of knowing they are contributing to a more sustainable en-vironment." 

Solect has recruited top talent to run its Illinois operations: 

Steve Gregory, General Manager, IL 

The Illinois office will be run by General Manager Steve Gregory. He currently oversees a team of 30 solar professionals and will be responsible for the company's design, construction and pro-ject management activities. Steve brings 40 years of construction operations, land entitlement and development and real estate management experience. 

Peter Maros - VP of Business Development, IL 

As VP of Business Development in Illinois Peter Marcos will be responsible for leading Solect's efforts to become the leading solar company in the Illinois market. Peter has worked at several so-lar and renewable energy companies, and most recently served as a Managing Director at a global renewable energy company where he worked on acquisitions in both renewable energy and fi-nance, and was responsible for the company's solar PV design and installation business in North America. 

Paul Montes - Business Development Director, IL 

Paul Montes, Director of Business Development in Illinois, brings to Solect more than 25 years of entrepreneurial-based experience in commercial real estate and relationship sales. In Illinois Paul will take a lead role in building trusted, long-term energy partnerships with individual property owners, business operators, corporations and municipalities. Most recently he was a Senior Vice President of Commercial Investment Sales for a national real estate entity. 

Solect Energy | http://www.solect.com