Location: Milford, CT
Sector: Commercial Retail
System Size: 341.6 kilowatts (kW) System Installed: 2008
Module: SunPower
Inverter: Satcon
Annual Energy Output: 387,075 kilowatt-hours (kWh)

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Pilgrim Furniture City: Using Overhead Space and an SPPA to Reduce Overhead Costs

The Pilgrim Furniture City showrooms have been selling furniture in Connecticut since 1961. The Milford Pilgrim Furniture City location is ideal for a solar PV system with approximately 35,000 sq. ft. of unshaded roof area. The 1,485 module system is the largest solar photovoltaic system located on a commercial showroom in New England.

Background

Pilgrim Furniture partnered with Soltage, Inc., under a Solar Power Purchase Agreement (SPPA) for its PV system, whereby Pilgrim is only responsible for purchasing the solar energy as it is generated. Soltage, as the owner, paid for the entire cost of the installation and was eligible to receive federal and state incentives to offset costs. Pilgrim in turn enjoys a long-term, fixed cost of clean power.

David Rubin, who oversaw the project for Pilgrim Furniture City, explained that the business has been impressed by the environmental value of solar power, saying, “Pilgrim is thrilled that we have been able to generate over 160,000 kilowatt-hours of clean, reliable energy in just the first six months—that is the equivalent of planting something like 7,000 trees! We are very happy with the work SES did here and would certainly recommend them to other businesses in the future.”

Solar Power Purchase Agreements (SPPA)

Commercial SPPA providers can enable businesses, schools, governments and utilities to benefit from predictable, renewable energy.

To learn more about Solar Power Purchase Agreement financing, click here.