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Siemens has begun working on infrastructure improvements for Manchester Housing Authority (MHA) in Conn., located 11 miles east of Hartford. Valued at almost $2.7 million, the 20-year performance contract is projected to generate annual energy savings through use of solar photovoltaic as well as other energy efficiency measures. The project is part of a comprehensive modernization plan for approximately 60 percent of the Authority’s portfolio of housing units and developments.
“This project means a great deal to Manchester Housing Authority. We’re excited to make these energy efficient and sustainable improvements to our developments,” says Joseph D’Ascoli, Executive Director of the MHA. “We’re proud to be one of the first housing authorities in the Northeast region to begin using solar energy for consumption.”
MHA had also considered fuel cell electrical generation as an alternate renewable energy source. But in researching it further, the Authority discovered that the smallest fuel cell would far exceed its power need. The designed solar field can fit in a community meadow, and will be able to provide power to all 199 apartments and MHA’s office building, which will reduce the power they are purchasing from the utility. Solar photovoltaic (PV) will also allow MHA to claim more than $12,000 annual credit for 15 years in Connecticut’s Zero Renewable Energy Credit (ZREC) program. In addition to solar PV cells, other energy efficient improvements include boiler replacements and LED exterior and interior lighting upgrades in parking lots, community rooms, and individual units. Water conservation improvement efforts will also be addressed with new toilets, aerators, and showerheads. All energy efficiency and water conservation upgrades are expected to be completed in September.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to be a part of MHA’s plans for increasing energy efficiency and sustainability in its developments. Modernizing the MHA by leveraging solar energy is an exemplary method of generating significant savings,” says Joseph Peters, Zone Vice President, Siemens Building Technologies Division. “Performance contracting is a proven and cost-effective way for organizations like MHA to address these types of expensive improvements without extensive impact to the budget. Combining our in-house finance expertise through Siemens Financial Services along with Connecticut Green Bank, Siemens is proud to help MHA offer sustainable energy options to its citizens.”
MHA’s performance contract team includes local energy provider Eversource as well as project funding providers Connecticut Green Bank and Siemens Financial Services.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development energy performance contract program provides incentives to public housing authorities across the country to implement energy and water savings improvements to their housing units. By leveraging energy performance contracting, this cost-effective solution pays for infrastructure upgrades with guaranteed energy savings over time.
Siemens has helped its customers realize more than $2 billion in energy and operational savings over the past 10 years. The company has implemented more than 1,000 guaranteed performance contract projects for its customers, updating thousands of buildings with the latest energy savings technologies. Its energy services and solutions range from energy savings analysis, to implementation of facility improvement measures, to ongoing monitoring and verification.
