Lawrence Family Development, Inc. (LFD), a 501 (c)3 (nonprofit) that includes four major programming areas—including a Massachusetts Commonwealth charter school district that supports language and cultural values important to families in the Lawrence community—recently contracted Solect Energy, the Commonwealth’s leading commercial installer of solar energy systems, and PowerOptions of Boston, MA to install a 119 kilowatt (kW) rooftop solar system. The installation will allow Lawrence Family Development, Inc. to reduce its energy costs and explore innovative energy methods.
Lawrence Family Development, Inc. is dedicated to educating students ages four through adults of all ages in the City of Lawrence. LFD’s charter school has 720 students from early kindergarten through grade eight. The school launched its new Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Center in the fall of 2015, initiating its exploration into solar energy.
“We were thrilled that our Board of Directors investigated and then selected Solect Energy for our new solar installation,” said Ralph Carrero, Lawrence Family Development Director/Superintendent. “We have a long-term goal of developing green, ecologically sound utility options on campus, so solar is the perfect opportunity to not only fulfill our goal but also reduce utility costs and provide new technology for students to learn about as a segment of our STEM curriculum.”
The solar array at LFDCS was financed and constructed through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Solect and PowerOptions. Solect owns and operates the solar array, and sells the power generated back to the nonprofit at a reduced, fixed rate for the duration of the 20-year agreement. PowerOptions Members pay for the power generated from the array at a cost far below their current delivered price.
“We were more than happy to work with Lawrence Family Development, Inc. on its new solar installation,” said Dan Terry, Director of Business Development at Solect Energy. “We are always happy to provide non-profits with solar energy, as it provides ample benefits to the organization, its students and staff, and the environment. It is especially exciting that LFD will be able to take advantage of the technological aspect of the array and incorporate it into its curriculum.”
The solar system is of the latest Lawrence Family Development, Inc. green initiatives. The non-profit’s alternative youth programs build houses in Lawrence neighborhoods and consider lower-cost energy programs as part of the design. Additionally, the Lawrence Family Development, Inc.’s charter school has onsite-garden beds as part of its STEM Center.
“Thanks to the help of Solect Energy and PowerOptions, we will now experience the next step in our journey toward sustainability—and the countless benefits that come with it—through the solar array,” added Carrero.
