EDUCATION

Whether private or public, schools and other educational institutions can save significantly through the use of renewable energy. Whether on-site installations or remotely located projects, these savings can reduce long-term operating costs, providing additional resources to invest in teaching and learning.

However educational renewable energy projects come with their unique set of challenges also. From aging facilities, procurement processes, managing competing interests and navigating through organizational infrastructure, committees and board approvals, these added complexities not only increase the burden of getting projects done, but can impact savings as well. Copacity has extensive experience managing renewable energy projects for both private and public schools, and we do so in a way that not only makes the process simple, but provides ensures minimal classroom disruptions, while securing renewable energy projects provide additional educational opportunities for both students and faculty.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Renewable energy opportunities for affordable housing represents a multitude of positive benefits. It is widely viewed that access to renewable energy has largely been limited to middle- and upper-income communities, and low-income households rarely participate from these benefits, even though it is universally acknowledged that it would benefit them the most. Added, affordable housing developers, if and when they can utilize renewables to lower operating costs, free up capital to re-invest back into their existing portfolios and/or use these resources to assist in the development of new affordable housing stock.

Even with all these benefits, affordable housing has been one of the most challenging markets for the renewable energy industry. Physical constraints, housing finance agency restrictions, perceived credit risk and governmental bureaucracy all contribute to these challenges.

Copacity thrives in this market. We represent many affordable housing clients, and are well versed in addressing all of the risks above and are proud to say that 100% of our affordable housing clients are able to deliver substantial utility bill discounts to 100% of their portfolio units, and it was all done without any up-front capital investment.

NON - PROFIT

With ongoing balance of budgeting and fundraising against operational expenses and organizational growth, non-profits are prime entities to secure long-term, lower cost energy options through renewables. And in addition to the bump in operational budget, smart renewable energy projects highlight to your current and future donors, that your organization is not only most prudent with their valuable contributions, but as much as possible is being driven toward the mission.

Non-profits have unique challenges in participating in renewable energy marketplace. First, as a non-profit, they often don’t qualify for many incentives, such as tax credits, that help finance renewable projects. Second, many non-profits either don’t own their building and/or are in a building where there are physical limitations to the amount of renewables that can be installed on-site. And third, as a non-profit, there is often times a perceived credit risk from private capital providers who finance these systems.

Copacity has worked with a wide range of non-profits to structure renewable energy systems that deliver year-over-year savings. Our experience ranges from securing finance and incentives for non-profits to actually own their own systems, to structuring 3rd party ownership options that allows for non-profits to secure renewable energy from off-site projects, with zero money down. We work with your organization to understand your goals and needs, as well as the interests of your committees, boards and funders. And as your independent representative, we ensure that with this organizational understanding, we identify the solutions that best meet these needs and then efficiently procure it for you.

PUBLIC AGENCIES

Over the years, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) has made multiple commitments to the expansion of renewable energy for Public Housing Authorities (“PHA”). These commitments highlight the need and commitment to utilize renewables as a means to significantly reduce PHA operating expenses.

While these commitments and programs are in place, renewable energy for public housing requires complex coordination between physical and programmatic challenges. Densely populated and high rise buildings do not make for good building candidates for any type of renewables and PHAs typically do not have excess land available for development of renewables. In addition to the physical constraints, coordinating renewable energy construction, contracts and savings within federal government and HUD guidelines can be a very daunting task.

Copacity has a long history working with PHAs, HUD and renewables. We understand the regulatory and administrative processes that need to be adhered to, especially with respect to HUD’s Rate Reduction Initiative, and the process needed to ensure renewable energy projects actually enhance PHA operating budgets. While these projects can be more complicated than most others, Copacity takes pride in delivering renewable energy solutions to organizations and tenants who need it most.