Christian Brothers Center

Organization: The De LaSalle Christian Brothers

Location: northwest corner of the Christian Brothers Center’s campus in Narragansett, Rhode Island

CHALLENGE

The Christian Brothers Center leadership sought to continue environmentally-conscious practices for their facility by exploring solar power, but were concerned about preserving capital. Rather than owning their solar system outright, they opted to partner with a third-party investor to own the system while they hosted the array and purchased the energy produced under a Power Purchase Agreement.

ANALYSIS

During initial analysis, Mission Energy determined the Center’s roof would need to be replaced in order to hold solar panels. Instead, the Center decided to install a ground-mounted array. Mission Energy identified state-level Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) and a renewable energy fund grant that could be used to help finance the project.

STRATEGY

Mission Energy:

• Completed a site review, analyzed energy data, and presented a step-by-step program;

• Identified and secured a grant and RECs to elevate the solar project’s ROI, appealing to a wider pool of potential investor-owners of the system;

• Evaluated and secured investors, and coordinated negotiating a Power Purchase Agreement to finance the project;

• Managed installation of the ground-mount array, navigating complex local zoning issues.

RESULTS

• Reduction in facility energy costs, with a locked-in solar energy cost rate protecting the Christian Brothers Center against future local utility energy rate increases.

• The installed solar system is estimated to produce 285,200 kWh per year.

• The new system saves approximately 220 tons of carbon dioxide per year.

This is equivalent to:

• Planting and growing 3,294 trees for 10 years

• Removing 47 gasoline-powered vehicles from the road each year

• Providing electricity for 39 homes for a year

LINKS

• https://www.mission.energy/news-room/case-study-christian-brothers-center